Biological adaptation is the evolutionary process through which heritable traits that enhance an organism’s fitness become more prevalent in a population over generations under specific environmental conditions. It operates primarily via natural selection acting on genetic variation, including mutations, recombination, and gene flow, and is constrained by developmental, genetic, and phylogenetic factors. Adaptations can be morphological, physiological, or behavioral and are typically characterized by increased survival or reproductive success in a given niche. The process is dynamic and context-dependent, such that traits advantageous in one environment may be neutral or deleterious in another, contributing to diversification and speciation.
Plants adapt the growth of their roots and shoots differently in response to environmental changes, according to a study involving the Ecological-Botanical Garden (ÖBG) at the University of Bayreuth. The researchers challenge ...
Ecology
Oct 16, 2025
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A heretofore unknown molecular mechanism helps plants save water in extreme drought and intense sunlight. A research team at Heidelberg University's Center for Organismal Studies (COS), in cooperation with partners at Nanjing ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 9, 2025
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Even as autumn days grow shorter, a warming climate means Ohio winters aren't as cold as they were just a few decades ago, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data. This increasing mismatch between ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 7, 2025
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Wheat has a very large and complex genome. Researchers have found that different varieties can use their genes in different ways. By studying RNA—the molecules that carry out instructions from DNA—researchers can see ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Oct 6, 2025
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Corals, the foundation of ocean biodiversity, are threatened by climate change. But new research suggests that these organisms might be more resilient than previously thought.
Plants & Animals
Oct 1, 2025
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Which plant hormones are critical in responding to drought conditions? How do plant hormone responses adjust to environmental changes? An article published in the journal Trends in Plant Science redefines and classifies the ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 1, 2025
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Around the world, women on average live longer than men. This striking pattern holds true across nearly all countries and historical time periods. Although the gap between the sexes has narrowed in some countries due to medical ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 1, 2025
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167
At first glance, plants may seem passive—but beneath their stillness lies a world of complexity and constant activity. Plants are highly sensitive to their surroundings, continuously monitoring environmental signals to ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 1, 2025
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Climate change is drying landscapes and raising temperatures faster than many species can adapt. A research paper from Colorado State University offers a rare empirical look at how these pressures are already reshaping wildlife ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 29, 2025
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The animal world is incredibly colorful, and behind this color palette is a constant game of survival.
Plants & Animals
Sep 26, 2025
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