Some grapevines can hide the bacteria that causes Pierce’s disease during winter and show no symptoms when spring arrives. Researchers have seen this happen for more than forty years, both in vineyards and in lab experiments. The effect is not the same for every grape type or location, and it also d
Wastewater plants use special methods to remove phosphorus before water goes back into nature. These methods often rely on tiny microbes that store phosphorus inside their cells. Recently, scientists noticed something surprising: when tiny plastic pieces (smaller than a grain of sand) mix with these
A young artist in 1825 set out to draw the trees and streams of the Hudson Valley, a trip that changed how Americans saw their own land. Thomas Cole’s finished works were not European mountains or ancient ruins; they captured the jagged peaks of the Catskills, their green woods, silver rivers, water
Just outside Las Cruces lies a quiet escape where the city’s noise fades into the whisper of dry wind through creosote bushes. The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park stretches across 935 acres, offering trails that wind past shaded rest spots and an outdoor theater that hosts everything from school plays
Every year, millions of waterbirds fly south along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, stopping to rest and feed in wetlands across China. These birds aren’t just travelers—they might also be carrying hidden passengers: genes that make bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Scientists studied a wetland
In the wide grasslands of northern China, two types of plants often compete for space: tough perennial grasses and colorful flowering forbs. Scientists have long noticed that these plants don’t just look different—they also affect the soil and nutrients in contrasting ways. Leaves from grasses and f
On May 13, at 6:30 p. m. , the Middleborough Public Library will host an open discussion where locals can learn how research shapes the area’s natural environment. Three guest speakers will break down important topics like pollinators, salt marshes, and natural pest control. Instead of diving straig
The loss of nature terms in our language is more than a spelling issue; it signals that many people no longer recognize the plants, birds, and animals around them. When a popular dictionary dropped words like “bee” or “bird, ” artists and writers saw the problem in action. One project that sprang up
Stories have become a hot topic in humanities and social sciences. Scholars from Indigenous, Black, Feminist, and many other traditions have shown how powerful narratives can be. A recent study looks at how telling and listening to stories can help people understand the link between nature and socie
Ever wondered why being outside makes you feel so good? It turns out, nature has a lot to teach us about spirituality. For a long time, people have thought of holy places as buildings with stained glass and pews. But what if the real sacred spaces are all around us, in the trees, the rain, and the q
