https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/endangered_plants/ Endangered plant research. Read about interesting mechanisms for plant survival and what is being done to save threatened and endangered plants. en-us Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:44:25 EDT Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:44:25 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/endangered_plants/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260308201601.htm Plants constantly juggle oxygen inside their cells, but scientists have now discovered a surprising twist in how that balance works. Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that mitochondria—the cell’s energy generators—can actively pull oxygen away from chloroplasts, the structures responsible for photosynthesis. This previously unknown interaction suggests mitochondria can effectively “drain” oxygen inside plant cells, altering photosynthesis and the production of reactive molecules that help plants respond to stress. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:55:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260308201601.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260227071918.htm Scientists at MIT have found compelling chemical evidence that Earth’s earliest animals were likely ancient sea sponges. Hidden inside rocks over 541 million years old are rare molecular “fingerprints” that match compounds made by modern demosponges. After testing rocks, living sponges, and lab-made molecules, researchers confirmed the signals came from life — not geology. The discovery suggests sponges were thriving in the oceans well before most other animal groups appeared. Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:45:38 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260227071918.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260224023201.htm Deep in the Congo Basin, vast peatlands quietly store enormous amounts of Earth’s carbon — but new research suggests this ancient vault may be leaking. Scientists studying Africa’s largest blackwater lakes discovered that significant amounts of carbon dioxide bubbling into the atmosphere come not just from recent plant life, but from peat that has been locked away for thousands of years. Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:16:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260224023201.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260218031609.htm Life on Earth may have learned to breathe oxygen long before oxygen filled the skies. MIT researchers traced a key oxygen-processing enzyme back hundreds of millions of years before the Great Oxidation Event. Early microbes living near oxygen-producing cyanobacteria may have quickly used up the gas as it formed, slowing its rise in the atmosphere. The results suggest life was adapting to oxygen far earlier — and far more creatively — than once thought. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 03:50:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260218031609.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210231546.htm Hundreds of millions of years ago, the first animals to crawl onto land were strict meat-eaters, even as plants had already taken over the landscape. Now scientists have uncovered a 307-million-year-old fossil that rewrites that story: one of the earliest known land vertebrates to start eating plants. The animal, named Tyrannoroter heberti, was a stocky, football-sized creature with a skull packed with specialized teeth designed for crushing and grinding vegetation. Wed, 11 Feb 2026 03:19:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210231546.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233836.htm Forests around the world are quietly transforming, and not for the better. A massive global analysis of more than 31,000 tree species reveals that forests are becoming more uniform, increasingly dominated by fast-growing “sprinter” trees, while slow-growing, long-lived species are disappearing. These slower species act as the backbone of forest ecosystems, storing carbon, stabilizing environments, and supporting rich webs of life—especially in tropical regions where biodiversity is highest. Mon, 09 Feb 2026 02:17:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233836.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208011024.htm Tiny marine plankton that build calcium carbonate shells play an outsized role in regulating Earth’s climate, quietly pulling carbon from the atmosphere and helping lock it away in the deep ocean. New research shows these microscopic engineers are largely missing from the climate models used to forecast our planet’s future, meaning scientists may be underestimating how the ocean responds to climate change. Sun, 08 Feb 2026 01:36:40 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208011024.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260207232246.htm Pumas returning to Patagonia have begun hunting mainland penguins that evolved without land predators. Scientists estimate that more than 7,000 adult penguins were killed in just four years, many of them left uneaten. While the losses are dramatic, models show that pumas alone are unlikely to wipe out the colony. Greater dangers come from poor breeding and low survival among young penguins. Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:05:44 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260207232246.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081133.htm After analyzing 40 years of tree records across the Andes and Amazon, researchers found that climate change is reshaping tropical forests in uneven ways. Some regions are steadily losing tree species, especially where conditions are hotter and drier, while others are seeing gains. Rainfall patterns turned out to be just as important as rising temperatures. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:27:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081133.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035340.htm A Michigan dairy farm took a gamble on a new kind of soybean—and it paid off fast. After feeding high-oleic soybeans to their cows, milk quality improved within days and feed costs dropped dramatically. Backed by years of MSU research, the crop is helping farmers replace expensive supplements with something they can grow themselves. Demand has surged, and many believe it could reshape the dairy industry. Sun, 18 Jan 2026 08:53:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035340.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035313.htm Bamboo shoots may be far more than a crunchy side dish. A comprehensive review found they can help control blood sugar, support heart and gut health, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Laboratory and human studies also suggest bamboo may promote beneficial gut bacteria and reduce toxic compounds in cooked foods. However, bamboo must be pre-boiled to avoid natural toxins. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 23:01:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035313.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260110211202.htm A rapid climate collapse during the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction devastated ocean life and reshuffled Earth’s ecosystems. In the aftermath, jawed vertebrates gained an unexpected edge by surviving in isolated marine refuges. Over millions of years, they diversified into many forms while competitors faded away. This ancient reset helped determine which creatures would dominate the planet ever after. Sun, 11 Jan 2026 01:15:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260110211202.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224628.htm Researchers have reconstructed ancient herpesvirus genomes from Iron Age and medieval Europeans, revealing that HHV-6 has been infecting humans for at least 2,500 years. Some people inherited the virus directly in their DNA, passing it down across generations. The study shows that these viruses evolved alongside humans—and that one strain eventually lost its ability to integrate into our chromosomes. It’s the first time this long, intimate relationship has been proven with ancient genetic evidence. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:07:41 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224628.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227004157.htm A spectacular fossil trove on the Arctic island of Spitsbergen shows that marine life made a stunning comeback after Earth’s greatest extinction. Tens of thousands of fossils reveal fully aquatic reptiles and complex food chains thriving just three million years later. Some predators grew over five meters long, challenging the idea of a slow, step-by-step recovery. The find rewrites the early history of ocean ecosystems. Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:20:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227004157.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225080719.htm A tiny fish long feared lost has resurfaced in Bolivia, offering a rare conservation success story amid widespread habitat destruction. Moema claudiae, a seasonal killifish unseen for more than 20 years, was rediscovered in a small temporary pond hidden within a fragment of forest surrounded by farmland. The find allowed scientists to photograph the species alive for the first time and uncover new details about its behavior and ecology. Thu, 25 Dec 2025 23:36:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225080719.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093322.htm Balanophora is a plant that abandoned photosynthesis long ago and now lives entirely as a parasite on tree roots, hidden in dark forest undergrowth. Scientists surveying rare populations across East Asian islands uncovered how its cellular machinery shrank but didn’t disappear, revealing unexpected similarities to parasites like malaria. Some island species even reproduce without sex, cloning themselves to colonize new habitats. This strange survival strategy comes with risks, leaving the plant highly vulnerable to habitat loss. Sat, 20 Dec 2025 11:39:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093322.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251211100633.htm New research shows that crops are far more vulnerable when too much rainfall originates from land rather than the ocean. Land-sourced moisture leads to weaker, less reliable rainfall, heightening drought risk. The U.S. Midwest and East Africa are particularly exposed due to soil drying and deforestation. Protecting forests and improving land management could help stabilize rainfall and crop yields. Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:20:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251211100633.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251125081933.htm Scientists decoded DNA from millennia-old lentils preserved in volcanic rock silos on Gran Canaria. The findings show that today’s Canary Island lentils largely descend from varieties brought from North Africa around the 200s. These crops survived cultural upheavals because they were so well-suited to the islands’ harsh climate. Their long-standing resilience could make them valuable for future agriculture. Wed, 26 Nov 2025 09:49:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251125081933.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251115095920.htm Researchers have sequenced the oldest RNA ever recovered, taken from a woolly mammoth frozen for nearly 40,000 years. The RNA reveals which genes were active in its tissues, offering a rare glimpse into its biology and final moments. Surprisingly, the team also identified ancient microRNAs and rare mutations that confirm their mammoth origin. The finding shows that RNA can endure millennia—reshaping how scientists study extinct species. Sat, 15 Nov 2025 23:54:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251115095920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251114041204.htm Scientists uncovered Australia’s oldest known crocodile eggshells, revealing the secret lives of ancient mekosuchine crocodiles that once dominated inland ecosystems. These crocs filled surprising niches, including terrestrial stalking and possibly tree-dropping ambushes. Sat, 15 Nov 2025 02:32:26 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251114041204.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027023751.htm Extinction rates are not spiraling upward as many believe, according to a large-scale study analyzing 500 years of data. Researchers found that species losses peaked about a century ago and have decreased since, with different drivers shaping past and present threats. Whereas invasive species once caused most island extinctions, habitat destruction now looms largest on continents. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:32:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027023751.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021732.htm Dinosaurs weren’t dying out before the asteroid hit—they were thriving in vibrant, diverse habitats across North America. Fossil evidence from New Mexico shows that distinct “bioprovinces” of dinosaurs existed until the very end. Their extinction was sudden, not gradual, and the recovery of life afterward mirrored climate-driven patterns. It’s a powerful reminder of life’s adaptability and fragility. Sun, 26 Oct 2025 11:05:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021732.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030934.htm Kobe University researchers found that orchids rely on wood-decaying fungi to germinate, feeding on the carbon from rotting logs. Their seedlings only grow near deadwood, forming precise fungal partnerships that mirror those seen in adult orchids with coral-like roots. This discovery highlights a hidden carbon pathway in forest ecosystems and explains the evolution of fully fungus-dependent orchid species. Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:09:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030934.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012230.htm Rice, a staple for billions, is one of the most resource-hungry crops on the planet—but scientists may have found a way to change that. By applying nanoscale selenium directly to rice plants, researchers dramatically improved nitrogen efficiency, boosted yields, and made grains more nutritious while reducing fertilizer use and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 01:22:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012230.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021153.htm A 95-million-year-old crocodyliform fossil, affectionately nicknamed Elton, was discovered in Montana by student Harrison Allen. Unlike most crocs, it lived on land and ate a varied diet. The find led to the naming of a new species, Thikarisuchus xenodentes, offering insights into croc evolution and burrow-based fossil preservation. For Allen, it was a life-changing project that launched him into a career in paleontology. Tue, 23 Sep 2025 08:10:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021153.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250919085246.htm Insects are essential for ecosystems, but mounting evidence suggests many populations are collapsing under modern pressures. A new study used cutting-edge genomic techniques on museum specimens to track centuries of ant biodiversity across Fiji. The results reveal that nearly 80% of native ants are in decline, with losses intensifying in the past few hundred years as human activities expanded. Sat, 20 Sep 2025 20:45:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250919085246.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250916032210.htm NASA’s Perseverance rover has delivered its most compelling clue yet in the search for life on Mars. A rock sample called “Sapphire Canyon,” taken from the Bright Angel formation in Jezero Crater, shows unusual mineral patterns known as “leopard spots” that may have formed through microbial activity. While non-biological processes could also explain the find, scientists say the chemical fingerprints look strikingly similar to those left behind by microbes on Earth. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 03:31:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250916032210.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250905112303.htm Scientists have uncovered microbial DNA preserved in mammoth remains dating back more than one million years, revealing the oldest host-associated microbial DNA ever recovered. By sequencing nearly 500 specimens, the team identified ancient bacterial lineages—including some linked to modern elephant diseases—that coexisted with mammoths for hundreds of thousands of years. These discoveries shed light on the deep evolutionary history of microbes, their role in megafaunal health, and how they may have influenced adaptation and extinction. Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:33:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250905112303.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010724.htm Bumble bees aren’t random foragers – they’re master nutritionists. Over an eight-year field study in the Colorado Rockies, scientists uncovered that different bee species strategically balance their intake of protein, fats, and carbs by choosing pollen from specific flowers. Larger, long-tongued bees seek protein-rich pollen, while smaller, short-tongued species prefer carb- and fat-heavy sources. These dietary preferences shift with the seasons and colony life cycles, helping bees reduce competition, thrive together, and maintain strong colonies. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 01:07:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010724.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083632.htm A groundbreaking fossil discovery in the Grand Canyon has unveiled exquisitely preserved soft-bodied animals from the Cambrian period, offering an unprecedented glimpse into early life more than 500 million years ago. Researchers uncovered molluscs, crustaceans, and exotic worms with remarkable feeding adaptations, preserved in a nutrient-rich “Goldilocks zone” that fueled evolutionary experimentation. The find not only reveals the complexity of Cambrian ecosystems but also draws intriguing parallels between ancient biological innovation and modern economic risk-taking. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 08:14:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083632.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083614.htm Over 15 years of fossil excavations in Tanzania and Zambia have revealed a vivid portrait of life before Earth s most devastating mass extinction 252 million years ago. Led by the University of Washington and the Field Museum, scientists uncovered saber-toothed predators, burrowing herbivores, and giant amphibians, offering rare insight into southern Pangea s ecosystems just before the Great Dying. Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:36:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250813083614.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250809100922.htm A fossilized Caribbean dirt ant, Basiceros enana, preserved in Dominican amber, reveals the species ancient range and overturns assumptions about its size evolution. Advanced imaging shows it already had the camouflage adaptations of modern relatives, offering new insights into extinction and survival strategies. Sat, 09 Aug 2025 10:09:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250809100922.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250806094118.htm A prehistoric predator changed its diet and body size during a major warming event 56 million years ago, revealing how climate change can reshape animal behavior, food chains, and survival strategies. Wed, 06 Aug 2025 23:53:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250806094118.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233109.htm Glasswing butterflies may all look alike, but behind their transparent wings hides an evolutionary story full of intrigue. Researchers discovered that while these butterflies appear nearly identical to avoid predators, they produce unique pheromones to attract suitable mates from their own species. A massive genetic mapping effort has now revealed six new butterfly species and uncovered a surprisingly high level of chromosomal rearrangement that helps explain why these butterflies evolve so rapidly. Mon, 04 Aug 2025 08:11:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233109.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233107.htm In a surprising twist of conservation success, a U.S. Air Force bombing range in Florida has become a sanctuary for endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker. Michigan State University researchers used decades of monitoring data to study the impact of moving birds from healthier populations to struggling ones. The outcome? A powerful success story showing that with long-term commitment, strategic partnerships, and smart interventions like controlled burns and translocations, even isolated wildlife populations can rebound and thrive. This model may hold the key to saving many more species teetering on the edge. Mon, 04 Aug 2025 07:55:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233107.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233059.htm An intriguing new study reveals that over 80% of parasites found in the ancient poo of New Zealand’s endangered kākāpō have vanished, even though the bird itself is still hanging on. Researchers discovered this dramatic parasite decline by analyzing droppings dating back 1,500 years, uncovering an unexpected wave of coextinctions that occurred long before recent conservation efforts began. These hidden losses suggest that as we fight to save charismatic species, we may be silently erasing whole communities of organisms that play crucial, yet misunderstood, ecological roles. Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:16:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233059.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803011830.htm Every time someone snaps a wildlife photo with iNaturalist, they might be fueling breakthrough science. From rediscovering lost species to helping conservation agencies track biodiversity and invasive threats, citizen observations have become vital tools for researchers across the globe. A new study reveals just how deeply this crowdsourced data is influencing modern ecological science, and how much more it could do. Sun, 03 Aug 2025 08:28:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803011830.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250729001225.htm A fish thought to be evolution’s time capsule just surprised scientists. A detailed dissection of the coelacanth — a 400-million-year-old species often called a “living fossil” — revealed that key muscles believed to be part of early vertebrate evolution were actually misidentified ligaments. This means foundational assumptions about how vertebrates, including humans, evolved to eat and breathe may need to be rewritten. The discovery corrects decades of anatomical errors, reshapes the story of skull evolution, and brings unexpected insights into our own distant origins. Tue, 29 Jul 2025 10:46:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250729001225.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250720034017.htm Gene editing may hold the key to rescuing endangered species—not just by preserving them, but by restoring their lost genetic diversity using DNA from museum specimens and related species. Scientists propose a visionary framework that merges biotechnology with traditional conservation, aiming to give struggling populations like Mauritius’ pink pigeon a fighting chance against extinction. From agriculture to de-extinction, these tools are already transforming biology—and now, they could transform the future of biodiversity itself. Mon, 21 Jul 2025 02:24:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250720034017.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250709091655.htm People can intuitively sense how biodiverse a forest is just by looking at photos or listening to sounds, and their gut feelings surprisingly line up with what scientists measure. Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:09:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250709091655.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230323.htm Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 07:49:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230323.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250702214202.htm When Siberian volcanoes kicked off the Great Dying, the real climate villain turned out to be the rainforests themselves: once they collapsed, Earth’s biggest carbon sponge vanished, CO₂ rocketed, and a five-million-year heatwave followed. Fossils from China and clever climate models now link that botanical wipe-out to runaway warming, hinting that losing today’s tropical forests could lock us in a furnace we can’t easily cool. Thu, 03 Jul 2025 09:07:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250702214202.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250627021851.htm Zooplankton like copepods aren’t just fish food—they’re carbon-hauling powerhouses. By diving deep into the ocean each winter, they’re secretly stashing 65 million tonnes of carbon far below the surface, helping fight climate change in a way scientists are only just starting to understand. Fri, 27 Jun 2025 08:51:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250627021851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614121947.htm Ten thousand years after mastodons disappeared, scientists have unearthed powerful fossil evidence proving these elephant cousins were vital seed spreaders for large-fruited trees in South America. Using dental wear, isotope analysis, and fossilized plant residue, researchers confirmed that mastodons regularly consumed fruit supporting a decades-old theory that many tropical plants evolved alongside giant animals. The extinction of these megafauna left a permanent ecological void, with some plants now teetering on the edge of extinction. Their story isn t just prehistoric it s a warning for today s conservation efforts. Sat, 14 Jun 2025 12:19:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614121947.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250613013903.htm Despite Earth's most devastating mass extinction wiping out over 80% of marine life and half of land species, a group of early reptiles called archosauromorphs not only survived but thrived, venturing across the supposedly lifeless tropics to eventually evolve into the dinosaurs and crocodiles we know today. Armed with a groundbreaking model dubbed TARDIS, researchers have reconstructed their ancient dispersal routes, revealing how these resilient reptiles conquered a hostile, post-apocalyptic Earth. Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:39:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250613013903.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250610080025.htm A prehistoric digestive time capsule has been unearthed in Australia: plant fossils found inside a sauropod dinosaur offer the first definitive glimpse into what these giant creatures actually ate. The remarkably preserved gut contents reveal that sauropods were massive, indiscriminate plant-eaters who swallowed leaves, conifer shoots, and even flowering plants without chewing relying on their gut microbes to break it all down. Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:00:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250610080025.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250609020620.htm For millions of years, large herbivores like mastodons and giant deer shaped the Earth's ecosystems, which astonishingly stayed stable despite extinctions and upheavals. A new study reveals that only twice in 60 million years did environmental shifts dramatically reorganize these systems once with a continental land bridge, and again with climate-driven habitat change. Yet the ecosystems adapted, with new species taking on old roles. Now, a third, human-driven tipping point threatens that ancient resilience. Mon, 09 Jun 2025 02:06:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250609020620.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530124254.htm Researchers have discovered a protein that is involved in plant leaf aging. Fri, 30 May 2025 12:42:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530124254.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529194648.htm The fossils of ancient salamander-like creatures in Scotland are among the most well-preserved examples of early stem tetrapods -- some of the first animals to make the transition from water to land. Thanks to new research, scientists believe that these creatures are 14 million years older than previously thought. The new age -- dating back to 346 million years ago -- adds to the significance of the find because it places the specimens in a mysterious hole in the fossil record called Romer's Gap. Thu, 29 May 2025 19:46:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529194648.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529145725.htm Forest-based agroforestry can restore forests, promote livelihoods, and combat climate change, but emerging agroforestry initiatives focusing only on tree planting is leading to missed opportunities to support beneficial outcomes of forest management, scientists found. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:57:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529145725.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140133.htm Scientists have documented the way a single gene in the bacterium that causes bubonic plague, Yersinia pestis, allowed it to survive hundreds of years by adjusting its virulence and the length of time it took to kill its victims, but these forms of plague ultimately died out. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:01:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140133.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140125.htm A new study reveals that the aerobic nitrogen cycle in the ocean may have occurred about 100 million years before oxygen began to significantly accumulate in the atmosphere, based on nitrogen isotope analysis from ancient South African rock cores. These findings not only refine the timeline of Earth's oxygenation but also highlight a critical evolutionary shift, where life began adapting to oxygen-rich conditions -- paving the way for the emergence of complex, multicellular organisms like humans. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:01:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140125.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124215.htm Scientists analyzed almost 200 cannabis genomes to create the most comprehensive, high-quality, detailed genetic atlas of the plant to date. The atlas reveals unprecedented diversity and complexity within the species, sets the stage for advances in cannabis-based agriculture, medicine, and industry, and builds on a 10,000-year long relationship between humans and cannabis, showing that cannabis can be as important as other crops like corn or wheat. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:42:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528132224.htm A new species of velvet worm, Peripatopsis barnardi, represents the first ever species from the arid Karoo, which indicates that the area was likely historically more forested than at present. In the Cape Fold Mountains, we now know that every mountain peak has an endemic species. This suggests that in unsampled areas there are likely to be additional novel diversity, waiting to be found. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:22:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528132224.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131536.htm As rising global temperatures alter ecosystems worldwide, animal species usually have two choices: adapt to changing local conditions or flee to a cooler clime. Ecologists have long assumed that the world's bird species were best equipped to respond to the pressures of climate change simply because they have the option of flying to higher altitudes or towards global poles. But a new study finds that few bird species are able to escape the realities of a warming world. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:15:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131536.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250523120439.htm A new study shows that monitoring and managing select bird species can provide benefits for other species within specific regions. Fri, 23 May 2025 12:04:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250523120439.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162538.htm Scientists have analyzed ancient DNA and compared more than 400 fossils from 17 natural history museums to figure out how and why extinct sloths got so big. Thu, 22 May 2025 16:25:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162538.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121142.htm A novel analysis suggests more than 3,500 animal species are threatened by climate change and also sheds light on huge gaps in fully understanding the risk to the animal kingdom. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:11:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121142.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204644.htm A new report identifies the top 12 emerging threats that could accelerate pollinator losses within the next 5-15 years, according to ten of the world's leading experts. Mon, 19 May 2025 20:46:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519204644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131556.htm People have assumed climate change solutions that sequester carbon from the air into soils will also benefit crop yields. But a new study finds that most regenerative farming practices to build soil organic carbon -- such as planting cover crops, leaving stems and leaves on the ground and not tilling -- actually reduce yields in many situations. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:15:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131556.htm