News tagged with chemical defenses

Global warming may reroute evolution

(PhysOrg.com) -- Rising carbon dioxide levels associated with global warming may affect interactions between plants and the insects that eat them, altering the course of plant evolution, research at the University ...

Biology / Evolution

created Feb 16, 2011 | popularity 3.2 / 5 (9) | comments 14 | with audio podcast

Anti-aphrodisiac protects young bedbugs

Male bedbugs are known to be very unfussy when it comes to mating, mounting any well-fed bug they can see - regardless of age or gender. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Biology have discov ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Sep 09, 2010 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Researcher Studies How Flowers Fight Back Against Damaging Insect Visitors

Though summer's flowers appear delicate and carefree to us, in fact plants must be tough enough to defend their blossoms against antagonists including florivores and nectar robbers, that is, insects who eat, ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Aug 03, 2010 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Scientists sniff out the evolution of chemical nociception

Whenever you choke on acrid cigarette smoke, feel like you're burning up from a mouthful of wasabi-laced sushi, or cry while cutting raw onions and garlic, your response is being triggered by a primordial chemical sensor ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Mar 17, 2010 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Sex involved in plant defense

Why do some plants defend themselves from insect attacks better than others? New evidence shows that the difference might be due to whether they're getting any plant love.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Jul 13, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 0