All Ecology articles – Page 2
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NewsLorMe: a unified framework for standardized microbiome analysis
An open-source R framework is designed to provide a unified approach for standardized microbiome analysis. The analytical platform enables the transition from raw microbiome data processing to publication-ready visualization through a streamlined workflow.
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NewsWeather and human activity impact lake extremophiles
Researchers found that extreme changes, both due to weather and human activity, are reshaping microbial communities in the Great Salt Lake that form the base for a large food web.
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NewsHow an influx of salt may affect microbial ecosystems
Scientists find that as sea levels rise and saltwater seeps into freshwater, stressed aquatic populations may retain overall growth even as diversity declines.
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NewsHow bacteria sacrifice themselves to render antibiotics ineffective
Bacteria can defend themselves against antibiotics with the help of an enzyme released by dying cells, reveals a study that helps scientists understand the survival mechanisms of bacteria and to improve the effectiveness of antibiotics.
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NewsBacteria form ‘herds’ to survive predators, offering fresh insight into Earth’s carbon cycle
Researchers have discovered that tiny photosynthetic bacteria band together into protective ‘herds’ when attacked by predators – a survival strategy that could also influence how carbon is stored in the world’s waters.
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NewsKeystone microbes help stabilize nutrient cycling in a massive deep-water reservoir
A three-year genomic study reveals that microbial communities change substantially over time, while versatile keystone taxa help preserve essential ecosystem functions.
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NewsPhytoplankton apply the onion skin principle
The phycosphere, which surrounds ocean microalgae, is one of the most important marketplaces for organic carbon in the oceans. A new study of chemical signals in this region suggests that the phycosphere consists of multiple layers.
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NewsClimate oscillations shape nature’s coral refuges in a warming ocean
A new study reveals that the natural cooling of coral reefs in the Andaman Sea by oceanographic processes is not constant – but depends on major tropical climate patterns that shape conditions across the tropical Indo-Pacific.
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NewsArctic microplastics: A ticking time bomb for climate feedback loops
A new study systematically maps the major transport pathways—atmospheric, oceanic, and local—and details how microplastics infiltrate Arctic food webs and interact with physical and biogeochemical processes that govern regional climate.
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NewsA 'copper economy' helps fungi and bacteria build better biofilms
Scientists have discovered that two common human pathogens can work together by managing copper in their shared environment - a finding that could open new ways to break down stubborn mixed biofilms.
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NewsDecline in plankton across North East Atlantic sends stark warning for ocean health
A new study has used more than six decades of data to show that plankton abundance is declining across vast swathes of the North East Atlantic – a region covering the Atlantic Ocean from Portugal to Norway, and the entirety of the North Sea.
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NewsThe climate crisis threatens river microbial biodiversity
A study warns that the biodiversity and biological functions of aquatic fungi in rivers are at risk due to rising temperatures, prolonged dry periods and the loss of riparian vegetation caused by climate change.
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NewsNatural symbiosis: How plants and microbes share vital nutrients in fragile ecosystems
Researchers using stable isotope labelling to investigate how different forms of nitrogen are used by plants and microbes in alpine heath environments found that plants and microbes use distinct strategies to access this critical nutrient.
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NewsThe drive to protect Missouri’s $4 billion cattle industry from tick threats
A tiny parasite-carrying tick is posing an outsized threat to Missouri’s cattle. Now, researchers are stepping in to protect the state’s $4 billion cattle industry by tracking different ways the American dog tick spreads a deadly disease known as bovine anaplasmosis.
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NewsThe greener the street view, the richer the microbiota?
A new study investigates how the Green View Index (GVI) relates to the richness and diversity of bacteria in the Taipei metropolitan area in Taiwan. The more vegetation in the area, the richer its microbial community.
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NewsStudy reveals 45 new toxins produced by bacteria associated with foodborne infections
Researchers have discovered 45 new toxins produced by Salmonella bacteria, some of which are associated with foodborne infections. The study shows that these substances primarily act in the competition among microorganisms for space and resources.
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NewsBiologist dives beneath Antarctica sea ice to study the impact of climate change
One biologist is studying the genetic diversity of red algae to see how this vital part of Antarctica’s underwater ecosystem is affected by climate change. Answering that question is becoming increasingly important as Earth’s warming climate causes Antarctica’s sea ice to recede farther with every passing year.
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NewsResearcher efforts to reproduce corals shared with TV cameras
Scientists at Nova Southeastern University are sharing a rare look at a marine mission that aims to pump life back into coral reefs. Researchers waiting for coral-spawning hope the project will be a game-changer in the South Florida ecosystem.
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NewsFrom spider silk to science: a new way to access hidden fungal diversity
A new study suggests that spider webs - particularly those incorporating environmental debris - can serve as natural, non-destructive collectors of fungal material in agricultural ecosystems. The findings show that viable fungi can be recovered from these structures, including lineages that may represent previously undocumented diversity.
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NewsOrganized microbial ‘workforces’ keep Earth’s underground biosphere running
By studying life deep inside a former gold mine, scientists uncovered evidence that Earth’s hidden biosphere operates less like a random collection of microbes and more like an organized workforce. From site to site, the ecosystems were incredibly different from one another but largely stable through time.