How nature organizes itself, from brain cells to ecosystems

McGovern Institute researchers develop a mathematical model to help define how modularity occurs in the brain — and across nature.

McGovern Institute for Brain Research • mit
March 10, 2025 • ~5 min

Parasites are ecological dark matter – and they need protecting

Save the pandas, sure, but what about the worms in their guts?

Simon Goodman, Lecturer in Evolutionary Biology, University of Leeds • conversation
March 10, 2025 • ~9 min

Parrotfish support healthy coral reefs, but they’re not a cure-all, and sometimes cause harm

A widely held view in ocean conservation asserts that parrotfish are key to healthy coral reefs. But evidence suggests that the relationship is more complicated.

Ana Lilia Molina Hernández, Postdoctoral research fellow, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) • conversation
Feb. 26, 2025 • ~8 min

Mirror life is a scientific fantasy leading to a dangerous reality − a synthetic biologist explains how mirror bacteria could conquer life on Earth

Synthetic cells that look just like natural cells but are chemically reversed could outcompete other living organisms − with dire consequences for human health and the environment.

Kate Adamala, Assistant Professor of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota • conversation
Feb. 11, 2025 • ~10 min

Streamlining data collection for improved salmon population management

Assistant Professor Sara Beery is using automation to improve monitoring of migrating salmon in the Pacific Northwest.

Avery Plachcinski | Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab • mit
Feb. 6, 2025 • ~13 min

Human use of fire has produced an era of uncontrolled burning: Welcome to the Pyrocene

Humans have become a geologic force by cooking the planet – using fire on a scale that is altering land, water, air and ecosystems.

Stephen Pyne, Emeritus Professor of Life Sciences, Arizona State University • conversation
Jan. 22, 2025 • ~10 min

Many species reach their heat limits at similar temperatures, leaving ecosystems at risk of sudden climate-driven collapse – new study

Plants and animals that live in the same community share the same heat tolerance – new study.

Joseph Williamson, Research Fellow in Biological Responses to Climate Change, UCL • conversation
Jan. 9, 2025 • ~6 min

Species reach their heat limits at similar temperatures, leaving ecosystems at risk of sudden climate-driven collapse

Plants and animals that live in the same community share the same heat tolerance – new study.

Joseph Williamson, Research Fellow in Biological Responses to Climate Change, UCL • conversation
Jan. 9, 2025 • ~6 min

Trees ‘remember’ wetter times − never having known abundant rain could buffer today’s young forests against climate change

Water availability regulates tree growth and can have ‘legacy effects’ long after conditions change.

Marcus Schaub, Group Leader, Forest Dynamics and Ecophysiology, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) • conversation
Jan. 9, 2025 • ~11 min

A quarter of freshwater animals threatened with extinction, finds major new study

Scientists have assessed more than 23,000 species.

Iwan Jones, Freshwater Ecologist and Head of the River Communities Group, Queen Mary University of London • conversation
Jan. 8, 2025 • ~6 min

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