Scientists have spent decades finding ways to efficiently and affordably degrade plant materials so that they can be converted into useful bioproducts that benefit everyday life.
Ecology
Feb 1, 2024
0
129
In the face of environmental challenges, one kind of ant gets better at growing food and an African wasp species may become more cooperative.
Plants & Animals
Jul 3, 2023
0
11
Life existed without human beings for more than 99.9% of Earth's history. Yet we often ignore the achievements of species that preceded us by billions of years.
Plants & Animals
Apr 19, 2023
0
14
A new 3D scanner, which photographs small animal specimens in meticulous detail, is also being used to teach computers how to spot and track critters.
Evolution
Apr 12, 2021
0
86
Imagine millions of leafcutter ants on parade through a tropical forest. Driven by a craving mysterious to humans, they suddenly stream up a towering tree trunk. How do they know exactly which species of leaves to cut for ...
Evolution
Oct 26, 2020
0
158
Researchers in the department of entomology at the University of Illinois have shown how a species of ant uses its abdomen to add speed to its jump, in a recent study published in Integrative Organismal Biology. With a name ...
Plants & Animals
Dec 18, 2019
0
22
Leafcutter ants such as Atta sexdens or Acromyrmex lobicornis face two major challenges when they leave the safety of the nest to forage: choosing the best plants from which to collect leaves and avoiding being surprised ...
Plants & Animals
Dec 17, 2019
0
11
Humans began cultivating crops about 12,000 years ago. Ants have been at it rather longer. Leafcutter ants, the best-known insect farmers, belong to a lineage of insects that have been running fungus farms based on chopped-up ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 24, 2019
0
2
Tropical forests are one of the largest natural sources of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O), and a tiny insect may play a big role in how those emissions are spread out across the landscape.
Environment
Jan 9, 2019
2
127
Factories mass produce goods for society and many emit greenhouse gases in the process, but not all are run by humans. Some factories lie underground and are operated around the clock by tireless six-legged workers.
Environment
Dec 18, 2018
0
35
