Ants may not be able to adapt when temps rise

Ants may not be able to adjust their behavior in response to rising temperatures. That's a problem because if ants get too hot, they die.

Michelle Jewel-NC State • futurity
Jan. 17, 2023 ~5 min

Native eastern fence lizards changed their bodies and behavior in response to invasive red imported fire ants

The ways eastern fence lizards have changed in response to red imported fire ants demonstrate how species can adapt to survive the presence of invasive predators.

Tracy Langkilde, Professor of Biology and Verne M. Willaman Dean, Eberly College of Science, Penn State • conversation
Jan. 13, 2023 ~10 min


Ant pupae ‘milk’ keeps entire colony healthy

Ant pupae secrete a never-before observed milk-like fluid that adults and larvae drink to keep the entire colony healthy.

Rockefeller University • futurity
Nov. 30, 2022 ~7 min

Ants – with their wise farming practices and efficient navigation techniques – could inspire solutions for some human problems

Over hundreds of million years of evolution, ants have come up with some pretty smart solutions to problems of agriculture, navigation and architecture. People could learn a thing or two.

Scott Solomon, Associate Teaching Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Rice University • conversation
Nov. 15, 2022 ~9 min

Eating fire ants may prep lizards for future attack

Chowing down on fire ants might bolster lizard immune systems for attacks in the future, "somewhat like a vaccine," researchers say.

Camden Flath-Futurity • futurity
Oct. 24, 2022 ~6 min

Ant biology and behavior changes for city living

Ants go through both physiological and behavioral changes to adjust to unnatural settings like urban sprawl, a new study shows.

Adam Russell-TAMU • futurity
Oct. 10, 2022 ~6 min

Scientists Estimate the Ant Population on Earth

VOA Learning English • voa
Sept. 25, 2022 ~5 min

How do ants crawl on walls? A biologist explains their sticky, spiky, gravity-defying grip

Ant feet are equipped with an array of tools – from retractable sticky pads to claws to special spines and hairs – enabling them to defy gravity and grip virtually any surface.

Deby Cassill, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida • conversation
Sept. 12, 2022 ~6 min


Anti-insulin protein drives queen ant longevity

Queen ants live a lot longer than workers. A new study indicates that protein that suppresses insulin plays a role in their longevity.

Rachel Harrison-NYU • futurity
Sept. 2, 2022 ~7 min

Ant colonies work like brains when making decisions

When ants get together, they make collective decisions a bit like networks of neurons in a brain, according to new research.

Katherine Fenz-Rockefeller • futurity
Aug. 17, 2022 ~6 min

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