All Ecology & Evolution articles – Page 4
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NewsInsect-killing fungi find unexpected harmony in war
Entomologists uncovered a unique relationship between two species of fungi known for their ability to invade, parasitize and kill insects efficiently. The two fungi peacefully cooperate and share their victims.
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NewsThe chicken or the egg? An ancient unicellular says egg
A cell division resembling that of an animal embryo has been observed in a prehistoric unicellular organism, suggesting that embryonic development might have existed prior to the evolution of animals.
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NewsMulticellular organisms require significantly more energy than single-celled ones
A new study shows that multicelled organisms like the metazoan daphnia require a tenfold increase in energy compared with protists for their growth, maintenance and survival.
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NewsMicrobes in mouth reflect lifestyle choices
A new study in Nepal reveals that oral microbiomes differ among traditional foragers, agriculturalists and industrialists, and with behaviors like smoking and diet.
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FeaturesEvolution of the Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus and its potential reemergence
Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) virus has long been a persistent threat to aquaculture, particularly the salmonid industry. Could the evolutionary fitness of IPNV, governed by quasi-species theory and high mutation rates, lead to a new outbreak.
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NewsStudy yields evidence of oldest confirmed photosymbiosis in corals
Researchers have demonstrated, using nitrogen isotope analyses, that some extinct corals from the Middle Devonian period were already symbiotic. This represents geochemical evidence of the oldest confirmed photosymbiosis in corals.
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NewsLoss of ‘nitrogen fixers’ threatens biodiversity and ecosystems
A new study reveals that increased nitrogen deposition from human activity is reducing the diversity and evolutionary distinctiveness of nitrogen-fixing plants, leading to simplified plant communities with fewer species of nitrogen fixers.
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NewsBacteria in meat-eaters’ stomachs today reveal what was on the menu for the first humans
A distinct variant of Helicobacter pylori, which arose hundreds of thousands of years ago and spread around the world with us, shows that the genetic variation found in the bacteria in our stomachs today can reveal what our ancestors ate.
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NewsResearch sheds light on complex evolution of RL11 genes in cytomegalovirus
Using bioinformatics and phylogenetic tools, scientists have discovered RL11 genes are exclusive to cytomegaloviruses in Old World monkeys and great apes, providing insights into virus-host coevolution and immune evasion.
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NewsStudy reveals how parasites thrive by balancing specialisation with exploiting diverse species communities
A new study reveals that the prevalence of malaria-like blood parasites in birds increases with the number of species present in local bird communities. The findings indicate that parasites thrive when they can exploit a wide range of different bird species.
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NewsGenomic signatures of domestication in a fungus obligately farmed by leafcutter ants
Researchers have harnessed cutting-edge genome sequencing approaches to decode the genetic building blocks that comprise Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, the fungus farmed by leafcutter ants.
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NewsAsteroid that doomed dinosaurs created fungus farming among ants
Scientists analyzed genetic data from 475 species of fungi and 276 species of ants to craft detailed evolutionary trees, allowing them to pinpoint when ants began cultivating fungi millions of years ago, a behavior that some ant species still exhibit today.
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NewsScientists study how a bacterium becomes a permanent resident in a fungus
To study the beginnings of endosymbiosis between two organisms, a team of researchers initiated such partnerships in the laboratory and observed what exactly happens at the beginning of a possible endosymbiosis.
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NewsWorld’s oldest cheese found with ancient mummies reveals origins of kefir
For the first time, scientists have successfully extracted and analyzed DNA from ancient cheese samples found alongside the Tarim Basin mummies in China, dating back approximately 3,600 years, suggesting a new origin for kefir cheese.
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NewsNew method sheds light on early cellular and metabolic evolution
Researchers have developed a pioneering method of analysis to investigate microfossils, by fixing them onto a specially coated glass slide (ITO-glass), allowing for integrated observations using both optical and electron microscopy.
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NewsScientists evolve microbial cultures that can sense pH changes
Scientists have successfully evolved microbial cultures that possess the ability to sense pH changes, enabling rapid responses to environmental fluctuations.
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NewsCells ‘repress’ genomic remnants of ancient viruses
Researchers have identified key cellular control sites that regulate gene expression and prevent the activation of ‘cryptic’ genomic regions, including ancient viral sequences.
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NewsCatalogue of fungi in China reveals new taxa of macrofungi from southern Xizang
During a field trip in July 2023 in the Himalayas, 882 specimens in six counties from the border area of Xizang, China were collected, among which 15 new macrofungal species were revealed and are described in the study.
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NewsResearchers uncover new infection-fighting molecules through ‘molecular de-extinction’
A new study has uncovered sequences for ancient antimicrobial agents in the genomic data of extinct species, offering new hope for the development of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral treatments.
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NewsIt’s the unchanging parts of the Covid virus we also need to pay attention to, study suggests
A new study demonstrates the value of surveillance for public health initiatives, while identifying stable parts of the virus as potential candidates for small molecule drugs and other drug development.