LND topic: environmental-adaptation page 1

environmental adaptation

Plants' Secret Blueprint: How Tiny Cell Structures Shape Growth and Survival

December 28, 2025

Plants are masters of adaptation. They constantly tweak their internal structures to handle changes inside and outside their cells. This isn't just any random adjustment. It's a carefully controlled process. At the heart of this process is the cytoskeleton. Think of it as the plant's internal scaffo

science

Listening to Chickens: How Sounds Can Tell Us About Their Health

August 23, 2025

Chickens make a lot of noise. But did you know that these sounds can tell us a lot about their health and how they're feeling? Scientists have been studying chicken noises for 15 days straight. They used special microphones in chicken houses to record all the sounds. They also checked the temperatur

science

The Hidden Power of Gut Bacteria in Fall Armyworms

May 24, 2025

The fall armyworm, a notorious pest, owes part of its success to tiny helpers living in its gut. These gut bacteria play a big role in how well the fall armyworm reproduces and spreads. They do this by tweaking important hormones in the insect's body. This is not just about reproduction, though. The

environment

The Secret of the Hardy Mosquitofish

April 25, 2025

The western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) stands out in polluted waters. It often thrives where other fish cannot. Why does this happen? This question has been explored in a recent study. Scientists looked at how different fish handle selenium. Selenium is a tricky element. It can be useful

science

Mice in the Americas: How Food and Genes Shape Size

April 2, 2025

In the last 500 years, house mice have made themselves at home across the Americas. During this time, they have shown remarkable adaptability. One of the most noticeable changes is in their body size. This shift is not just about genetics. The environment, especially what they eat, plays a big role.

science

Lamarck's 280th Birthday: How His Ideas Shaped Modern Health Science

February 14, 2025

Imagine this: a scientist way back in the 1800s, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, had some pretty interesting ideas about how we inherit traits and adapt to our surroundings. He was a pioneer in his time, and his theories have made a comeback in a big way. 2024 marks 280 years since his birth, and his ideas

science

Plants' Cool Tricks: How They Handle Weather and Bugs

February 13, 2025

Plants are strong, they have to be to deal with bugs and weather. They have a secret weapon called phenolic compounds, which act like natural armor. The amount of this armor can change based on where a plant lives. For example, a plant at the base of a mountain might make more phenolic compounds to

science

Carnivorous Californian Squirrels: A Surprising Find!

December 18, 2024

In California's Briones Regional Park, scientists stumbled upon a fascinating behavior in ground squirrels — they've started hunting and eating voles! This isn't something squirrels are known for, as they usually munch on seeds and plants. But with a recent increase in vole numbers, these critters h

science

Discovering Bacteria Preferences in Sorghum Roots

November 12, 2024

Did you know that the roots of plants like sorghum have their own tiny communities of bacteria? These microscopic friends play a big role in how well the plant grows and stays healthy. Scientists decided to take a closer look at how these bacterial communities differ in various parts of sorghum root