Road Noise Takes a Toll on Migrating Birds
Researchers built a "phantom road" through wilderness using tree-mounted speakers to play traffic sounds, and witnessed a decline in bird fitness and diversity. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Stories by Christopher Intagliata
Sick Ants Seek Out Medicinal Food
Healthy ants wanted nothing to do with free-radical-rich foodstuff, but ants exposed to a pathogenic fungus sought it out, which upped their odds of survival. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Seaweed Bodyguards Coral against Bullying Sea Stars
Crown-of-thorns sea stars are an "underwater swarm of locusts" that devour coral—unless the coral is protected by a layer of seaweed. Christopher Intagliata reports
Vomit Machine Models Cruise-Ship Virus Spread
Using a simulated vomiting device, scientists determined that projectile vomiting can aerosolize noroviruslike particles, allowing the infection to spread short distances through the air...
Sunlight Activates Smog-Causing Chemicals in City Grime
The grime on city buildings and may actively contribute to urban air pollution. Christopher Intagliata reports
Methane-Eating Microbes May Mitigate Arctic Emissions
A newly discovered strain of bacteria found in Arctic permafrost harvests methane from the air—meaning it could help mitigate the effects of warming. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Invertebrates Are Forgotten Victims of "Sixth Extinction"
Some 95 percent of catalogued species in one family of Hawaiian land snails could already be extinct, and similar rates of invertebrate extinction could be happening around the world. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Nicotine-Chomping Bacteria Could Help Smokers Quit
Researchers isolated a bacterial enzyme that could break down nicotine before smokers get the buzz that keeps them coming back for more. Christopher Intagliata reports
Spicy Food Linked to Lower Risk of Death
In a study of nearly half a million volunteers in China, those who ate chilies just a couple times a week had a 10 percent lower risk of death. Christopher Intagliata reports
Forests Suck Up Less Carbon after Drought
Tree growth lags below normal for several years following droughts, a detail about carbon sequestration that climate models currently overlook. Christopher Intagliata reports
"Imperfect" Vaccines May Aid Survival of Ultrahot Viruses
Certain vaccines prevent sickness and death, but don't block transmission—meaning they may actually give some viral strains an extra shot at survival. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Plankton Blooms Fuel Cloud Droplet Formation
The Southern Ocean is the cloudiest place on Earth, a condition caused in part by phytoplankton particles kicked up by sea spray. Christopher Intagliata reports
Male Black Widows Strive for Mate's Monogamy
During courtship, male black widow spiders snip and bundle up the female's web in their own silk, which discourages other suitors from stopping by. Christopher Intagliata reports
Rain and Irrigation Can Make Crops Temporary Bacteria Farms
Researchers suggest farmers should consider harvesting when fields are dry, to prevent dangerous bacteria blooms from contaminating food. Christopher Intagliata reports
Roman Builders May Have Copied Volcanic "Concrete"
The rock of the Campi Flegrei Caldera, west of Naples, Italy, has an intricate network of mineral fibers—just like the famed Roman concrete. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Noses Agree When Genes See Eye to Eye
We all perceive smells differently—and two people’s preferences may give clues to their degree of genetic similarity. Christopher Intagliata reports
Smartphone Battery Drains a Lot Even with Dark Screen
Background app updates, cell tower pings and other hidden activity accounts for almost half the battery drain on Android phones. Christopher Intagliata reports
Extreme Exercise Can Poison the Blood
Even four hours of intense activity may be enough to let bacteria escape from the gut into the blood, setting off a chain of inflammation. Christopher Intagliata reports
Comet Dust Kicks Up Clouds over the Moon
The same particles that streak through Earth's atmosphere as "shooting stars" kick up lunar dust when they strike the surface of the atmosphere-less moon. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Chimps Want Us to Cook Their Food
You won’t see them on your favorite cooking show any time soon, but chimps prefer their food cooked and will bring items to be cooked before they eat them — Christopher Intagliata, Eliene Augenbraun, Benjamin Meyers...
