Do gardeners live longer?
Frequent gardeners had a 22% lower mortality risk over 25 years of follow-up; read more about it here.
What’s the buzz about petal drip-tips and pollination?
Miconia are “buzz” pollinated, meaning that bees buzz or vibrate the flowers to release pollen. Buzz pollination is easily disrupted by the rain. A comparative analysis of Miconia petal morphology suggests that small-flowered species evolved drip-tip petals in humid, wet regions that drain water away from reproductive parts. Read more about Miconia drip-tip petals here.
How do bumblebees keep their cool?
They may move slowly from flower to flower, but hovering is an energetically demanding activity and hovering bumblebees generate heat, lots of heat. How do they keep from overheating? This question is increasingly important as climates warm. Turns out bumblebees have fans, besides gardeners that is. Find the story here.
Space Oddity: move over Elon Musk: earth moss, Physcomitrium patens, thrives in space
Researchers launched hundreds of sporophytes into space where astronauts attached various life stages to the outside of the space station. After almost 300 days, the moss flew back to earth: over 80% had survived and 89% of those that survived could still germinate. Read more about this remarkable species here.
Beekeepers, Farmers, and the Fight to Save a Century-Old Research Hub
Plans to close the renowned agricultural research center in Beltsville, Maryland, are meeting opposition from a coalition of scientists, farmers, beekeepers, and others. Read more here.
Agriculture and bird decline are linked
Birds are declining, some more rapidly than others. In some cases, the rate of population decline is increasing. Scientists studying this phenomenon have found that accelerating decline in bird species is found in areas with high-intensity agriculture. Read more here.
Coming to a spruce forest near you: St. Elmo’s Fire is not as rare as we thought…
A recent study shows how thunderstorms light up the forest canopy in a lovely violet glow but you have to know how to look for it. The saga of a minivan, a meteorologist and a summer chasing thunderstorms. Intrigued? Find out more here.