ECOSYSTEM

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Jan 14 2025SCIENCE

Uninvited Guest: Sea Bream Spotted in Taiwan Waters

In late November 2024, scientists made an exciting yet concerning discovery near Keelung Port, northern Taiwan. Two adult specimens of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) were found at a depth of roughly 20 meters. This is the first time this Mediterranean fish has been spotted in the northwestern Pa

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Jan 13 2025ENVIRONMENT

Discovering the Best Willow Cuttings for Field Planting

Willows are becoming quite popular for big ecosystem recovery projects. But there's a question: which size of willow cuttings fares best when planted in the field? Scientists compared the survival of willow cuttings from different places, diameters, and lengths over two growing seasons in Alberta, C

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Jan 04 2025SCIENCE

The Hidden Danger of Mirror Bacteria

Imagine if scientists created life that could make us all sick. Sound far-fetched? Well, that's what some experts are warning about with "mirror bacteria. " These are not just any bacteria. They are made differently, using right-handed amino acids instead of the usual left-handed ones. Scientists fi

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Dec 29 2024SCIENCE

Temperature's Impact on Bacteria in Mountain Streams

In mountain streams, temperature plays a big role in shaping the community of bacteria living in the sediment. While temperature and nutrients are important factors in oceans and lakes, their influence on mountain stream bacteria isn't well understood. Scientists studied the Taizicheng River, a high

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Dec 29 2024ENVIRONMENT

Deep-Water Oyster Reefs: Unseen Treasures of the Mediterranean

Ever wondered what lies deep beneath the Mediterranean Sea? Hidden under 30 meters of water, there's a world of deep-water oyster reefs. These reefs, shaped by the gryphaeid Neopycnodonte cochlear, are not as well-known as their shallower counterparts but are just as important. Scientists have been

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Dec 27 2024ENVIRONMENT

The Hidden Web of Biodiversity Loss: Who's Importing What?

Biodiversity is key to keeping ecosystems healthy and achieving sustainable goals. But, unfortunately, biodiversity loss is a global issue. Researchers used data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Eora database to calculate biodiversity loss in 188 countries. They

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Dec 26 2024SCIENCE

Exploring Life Below: Microbes in the Eger Rift's Deep

Did you know that deep beneath the surface of the Earth, there's a whole world of tiny creatures? The Eger Rift is one such place, known for its frequent earthquakes and high CO2 levels. Scientists drilled down 238 meters to study the rocks and sediments, finding a fascinating mix of microbes. They

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Dec 25 2024SCIENCE

How Fire Ash Changes Nutrients in Different Places

Ever wondered how fires change the nutrients in the soil? This study took a deep dive into how fire ash from different environments, like forests and grasslands, affects key nutrients like phosphorus, calcium, and potassium. Using special tools like X-ray absorption spectroscopy, scientists found ou

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Dec 23 2024ENVIRONMENT

The Power of Bats: How Landscapes in Portugal Affect Pest Control

Bats play a vital role in keeping pests under control, especially in areas with lots of agriculture. But figuring out how to include bat management in conservation plans is tough. The way a landscape looks can greatly influence where bats live, how many different types there are, and how well they d

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Dec 22 2024SCIENCE

Discovering the Insect-Munching Fungi: A New Global Database

Insects and other tiny critters are vital parts of our planet's ecosystems. Among them, certain fungi play a big role in keeping populations in check. These fungi, called entomopathogenic fungi, specifically attack insects and arthropods. One group, the Hypocreales, has been overlooked by scientists

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