This fish has legs — and it uses them for more than just walking

It’s a bird! It’s a crab! No, it’s a fish that can taste with its legs. Some sea robins, a group of fishes with two winglike fins and six crablike…

Unraveling Nutrient Dynamics and Insights on Ericoid Mycorrhizal Symbiosis and lessons therein – Functional Ecologists

It’s been just over a month since the 12th International Conference on Mycorrhiza. In these blog posts, we hear from some of the winners of Functional Ecology’s poster and talk…

Alzheimer’s Drug Faces Scrutiny Over Safety, Efficacy Concerns

Summary: The FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drug donanemab is under scrutiny due to concerns about its effectiveness and safety, according to an investigation. The study highlights multiple patient deaths during trials, design…

Stress Fuels Impulsive Behavior in Response to Boredom

Summary: Research shows a strong link between impulsivity, boredom, and stress, with highly impulsive individuals reacting more to boredom by releasing more of the stress hormone cortisol. This physiological response…

Becoming a scientist wasn’t a mistake, just a happy little accident – Functional Ecologists

It’s been just over a month since the 12th International Conference on Mycorrhiza. In these blog posts, we hear from some of the winners of Functional Ecology’s poster and talk…

Can chatbots be tailored to fight back against conspiracy theories?

… Few interventions have been proven to change conspiracy theorists’ minds, says Thomas Costello, a research affiliate at MIT Sloan and the lead author of the study. Part of what…

New Brain Stimulation Target Could Treat PTSD

Summary: A new study suggests that neurostimulation targeting specific brain circuits may help treat PTSD in veterans. Researchers found that veterans with damage to brain areas connected to the amygdala,…

increasing competition with higher trait dissimilarity.   – Functional Ecologists

In our new post Emily Holden, PhD candidate at University of Alberta (Canada), presents her work ‘Plant trait dissimilarity increases competitive interactions among co-occurring plants’. She talks about confronting contrasting…

Melatonin Receptor is Key to REM Sleep and Memory

Summary: Scientists have identified the melatonin MT1 receptor as a key regulator of REM sleep, crucial for memory, dreaming, and emotional regulation. This discovery may pave the way for targeted…

“Sleeping on It” Helps With Rational Decision Making

Summary: A new study reveals that while snap judgments heavily influence decisions made immediately, “sleeping on it” helps people make more rational choices. Researchers found that participants who made instant…