how-gene-loss-and-monogamy-built-termite-mega-societies

Termites did not evolve complex societies by adding new genetic features. Instead, scientists found that they became more social by shedding genes tied to competition and independence. A shift to monogamy removed the need for sperm competition, while food sharing shaped who became workers or future kings and queens. Together,Continue Reading

eu plans-to-weaken-pesticide-rules ‘unlawful’,-experts say

Plans by the European Commission to scrap routine checks on pesticide safety would break EU law, according to a new legal opinion published today (27 January).  The Commission announced plans in December to “simplify” regulations for pesticides, including ditching requirements for all pesticides to be reassessed every ten to fifteen years to account for newContinue Reading

gray-wolves-are-hunting-sea-otters-and-no-one-knows-how

On a remote Alaskan island, gray wolves are rewriting the rulebook by hunting sea otters — a behavior few scientists ever expected to see. Researchers are now uncovering how these coastal wolves adapted to marine hunting, what it means for land–sea ecosystems, and whether this ancient predator–prey relationship is re-emergingContinue Reading

nasa-earth-energy-instrument-completes-testing,-ready-for-delivery

NASA’s Libera instrument, which is designed to maintain the global data record of Earth’s radiation budget, has successfully completed comprehensive environmental testing. This critical milestone included thermal vacuum tests that simulate the expected space temperature and environments that Libera will experience during its mission. The Libera instrument will fly onContinue Reading

nasa-aims-to-advance-hypersonic-flight-testing-with-new-awards 

3 min read NASA Aims to Advance Hypersonic Flight Testing with New Awards  The NASA award to SpaceWorks Enterprises will focus on research using the company’s X-60 platform.  SpaceWorks While NASA is working with U.S. aviation to explore commercial supersonic technologies, the agency is also looking forward to an even faster era ofContinue Reading