Researchers use earthworms to create quantum dots
(Phys.org)—British researchers at King's College in London have succeeded in creating quantum dots by feeding earthworms soil laced with certain metals and then collecting the material excreted. They describe ...
Genomes of limpet, leech and worm put spotlight on lophotrochozoans
A new report in the journal Nature unveils three of the first genomes from a vast, understudied swath of the animal kingdom that includes as many as one-quarter of Earth's marine species. By publishing the ge ...
Flying frog among 353 new Himalayan species: WWF
Over 350 new species including the world's smallest deer, a "flying frog" and a 100 million-year old gecko have been discovered in the Eastern Himalayas, a biological treasure trove now threatened by climate ...
Global worming: Earthworms add to climate change
(Phys.org)—Earthworms are long revered for their beneficial role in soil fertility, but with the good comes the bad: they also increase greenhouse gas emissions from soils, according to a study published Feb. 3 in Nature Cl ...
Ancient snakes living on Madagascar
"Blindsnakes are not very pretty, are rarely noticed, and are often mistaken for earthworms," admits Blair Hedges, professor of biology at Penn State University. "Nonetheless, they tell a very interesting ...
'Toothless' rat discovered on the island of Sulawesi
(Phys.org)—A McMaster researcher has discovered a nearly toothless shrew rat on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
Soft autonomous robot inches along like an earthworm (w/ Video)
Earthworms creep along the ground by alternately squeezing and stretching muscles along the length of their bodies, inching forward with each wave of contractions. Snails and sea cucumbers also use this mechanism, ...
Anthrax bacteria conspire with viruses to stay alive
(PhysOrg.com) -- The brute force of Bacillus anthracis, the ancient scourge that causes anthrax, can sweep through and overpower a two-ton animal in under 72 hours. But when it isn't busy claiming livestock and hu ...
Study shows earthworms to blame for decline of ovenbirds in northern Midwest forests
Rat that doesn't gnaw discovered in Indonesia
A unique species of near-toothless rat that lives off earthworms and doesn't chew or gnaw has been seen in Indonesia.
Japan snail sheds tail to escape, scientist finds
Snails that can shed their tails to escape much faster-moving predators and then regrow the amputated body section have been discovered living in sub-tropical Japan, a study said Wednesday.
Animation research could offer unparalleled control of characters without skeletons
(Phys.org) -- Computer-generated characters have become so lifelike in appearance and movement that the line separating reality is almost imperceptible at times. "The Matrix" sequels messed with audiences' ...
Mediterranean earthworm species found thriving in Ireland as global temperatures rise