Thursday, 9 February, 2012

Along the coast of Baja, California, a new study finds that parasites outweigh top predators. What does this mean for ecology, and what is the story with “castrating parasites”?

How does momma croc know when to dig up the young? How do the embryos know when to start hatching? The secret’s in the song…

Mice can tell the sex, mating status and identity of another mouse — all from sniffing urine. A new study of how mice read pheromones also gives insight into the human sensory apparatus…

Minute sand dollar larvae, tasty morsels in a sea of famished fish, have a clever way to help ensure their genes are passed to the next generation.

Hawaii is the world’s capital of biological invasions. A new airborne gadget measures how bad the situation has become; offers aid in fighting weedy trees.

Japan says it must kill hundreds of whales each year to do “research” on them; but science has plenty of ways to study whales without killing them. Digital-recording tags, whale songs, even whale scats, are the best ways to study these mysterious marine mammals.

Migration of songbirds, butterflies, turtles and seals. Where does the natural urge to move originate?

Fast genomic analysis could open the door to breakthroughs in health, ecology and genetics. How do these machines work, and what have they taught about obesity, microbial diversity, and drug treatment?

Football star convicted for bloody dog-fighting operation. What made the wolf turn into 400+ breeds of dog? How have farmers and animal breeders changed cattle and chickens? Why bother saving an old breed of horse?

A honeybee queen mates with 15 guys. This weakens family ties in the hive, possibly hampering the selfless behavior these bees need for survival. Does polyandry have hidden benefits for bees?