Category: Nature

Study shows pollution harms gut bacteria, contributes to diabetes, obesity     A new study links air pollution to changes in the human gut microbiome which could fuel diabetes, obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases like colitis and Crohn’s disease. Breathing dirty air takes a heavy toll on gut bacteria, boosting risk of obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders…

Just like humans and other animals, plants have hormones. One role of plant hormones is to perceive trouble—whether an insect attack, drought or intense heat or cold—and then signal to the rest of the plant to respond. A multicentre team led by current and former investigators from the Salk Institute is reporting new details about…

    Even before uttering their first words, babies master the grammar basics of their mother tongue, according to new research. Even before uttering their first words, babies master the grammar basics of their mother tongue. Thus eight-month-old French infants can distinguish function words, or functors — e.g. articles (the), personal pronouns (she), or prepositions (on)…

    Researchers have discovered that ocean acidification impacts the ability of some oysters to pass down ‘memories’ of environmental trauma to their offspring. As oceans absorb more carbon dioxide, they are becoming increasingly acidic and shifting the delicate balance that supports marine life. How species will cope with ocean acidification and the other consequences of…

Rising sea surface temperatures and acidic waters could eliminate nearly all existing coral reef habitats by 2100, suggesting restoration projects in these areas will likely meet serious challenges, according to new research. Scientists project 70 to 90 percent of coral reefs will disappear over the next 20 years as a result of climate change and…