Viewpoint: Without glyphosate, critical wetlands and wildlife could be strangled by invasive plants

Almost two years ago, I wrote an article hoping “we are finally at a place when a few influential scientists with integrity will have the courage to speak out and demand…

Link Found Between Common Ear, Nose, and Throat Infections in Preschoolers and Increased Risk of Autism

Summary: Preschoolers with common ear, nose, and throat (ENT) issues may be at risk of autism or high levels of autism traits, according to a study published in BMJ Open.…

A long-term precipitation manipulation field experiment in a shrub-encroached grassland in Inner Mongolia, China – Functional Ecologists

In this new post, Yankun Zhu—Associate Professor at Sanming University, China—discusses his paper: Increased precipitation attenuates shrub encroachment by facilitating herbaceous growth in a Mongolian grassland—recently shortlisted for the 2022…

Monkey See, Monkey Think: Groundbreaking Study Reveals Primate’s Ability for Complex Decision-Making

Summary: Move over humans, monkeys can think deeply too! A novel study has shown that monkeys are capable of careful decision-making by considering costs, consequences, and constraints. Findings reveal our…

Inside the feeding behavior of a pollinivore – Functional Ecologists

In this new post, Laura Bellec—a new ecological researcher working at the Univ Rennes 1, Rennes, France—discusses her paper: Factors driving the within-plant patterns of resource exploitation in a herbivore—recently…

500 Days of Solitude: One Woman’s Experience of Extreme Social Isolation Sheds Light on Time Perception

Summary: A woman who recently emerged from a cave after 500 days of isolation reported she rapidly lost her perception of time. Researchers explore how social isolation impacts time perception…

Early Indicators of Autism May Be Identified in Fetal Brain Scans

Summary: A study by King’s College researchers has identified a link between autism traits and isolated fetal ventriculomegaly – a common antenatal brain abnormality. Using MRI brain scans, the study…

Biofilms, an underrated yet important way of life – Functional Ecologists

In this new post, Hugo Sentenac, a PhD student at Labaoratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement (LEFE), Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, France, discusses his review paper: The significance of biofilms…

Stress Rapidly Increases Biological Age, but Recovery Turns Back the Clock

Summary: Stress can cause rapid and transient increases in biological age, which can be reversed upon recovery, according to a new study. Using DNA methylation clocks, researchers found that stress…

Sniffing Out the Mechanism Behind Parkinson’s Smell Loss

Summary: Up to 90% of patients report experiencing a diminished sense of smell, even prior to the onset of other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. A new study reveals the mechanism…