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Breakthroughs in Science

Archive for the ‘Zoology’ Category

The Power of Estrogen: Male Snakes Attract Other Males

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Science Daily A new study has shown that boosting the estrogen levels of male garter snakes causes them to secrete the same pheromones that females use to attract suitors, and turned the males into just about the sexiest snake in the neighborhood — attracting dozens of other males eager to mate. Read more

Analysis reveals malaria, other diseases as ancient, adaptive and persistent foes

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Oregon State University News and Communications 11-2-2011 CORVALLIS, Ore. – One of the most comprehensive analyses yet done of the ancient history of insect-borne disease concludes for the first time that malaria is not only native to the New World, but it has been  present long before humans existed and has evolved through birds and […]

Biodiversity helps dilute infectious disease, reduce its severity

Monday, September 19th, 2011

David Stauth, Oregon State University News and Communication CORVALLIS, Ore. – Researchers at Oregon State University have shown for the first time that loss of biodiversity may be contributing to a fungal infection that is killing amphibians around the world – a finding that provides more evidence for why biodiversity is important to many ecosystems. […]

Possible biological control discovered for pathogen devastating amphibians

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

David Stauth, Oregon State University News and Communication The study this story is based on is available online: http://bit.ly/oC488C CORVALLIS, Ore. – Zoologists at Oregon State University have discovered that a freshwater species of zooplankton will eat a fungal pathogen which is devastating amphibian populations around the world. This tiny zooplankton, called Daphnia magna, could […]

Lasting evolutionary change takes about one million years

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

Oregon State University News and Communications CORVALLIS, Ore. – In research that will help address a long-running debate and apparent contradiction between short- and long-term evolutionary change, scientists have discovered that although evolution is a constant and sometimes rapid process, the changes that hit and stick tend to take a long time. Give or take […]

Lionfish Outcompete the Natives on Coral Reefs

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

To get more information about the F.A.  Gilfillan Memorial Award Lecturer Mark Hixon and his research on Lionfish, please read Nick Houtman’s story Lionfish Outcompete the Natives on Coral Reefs in terra magazine.

Dr. Mark Hixon to give Gilfillan Memorial Award Lecture, Thursday, May 5th

Friday, April 29th, 2011

Halloween horror story – tale of the headless dragonfly

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

In a short, violent battle that could have happened somewhere this afternoon, the lizard made a fast lunge at the dragonfly, bit its head off and turned to run away. Lunch was served. But the battle didn’t happen today, it happened about 100 million years ago, probably with dinosaurs strolling nearby. And the lizard didn’t […]

Ancient “Monster” Fly Discovered

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

A single, incredibly well-preserved specimen of the tiny but scary-looking fly was preserved for eternity in Burmese amber, and it had a small horn emerging from the top of its head, topped by three eyes that would have given it the ability to see predators coming. But despite that clever defense mechanism, it was apparently […]

Grant awarded to Zoology Faculty for work on Alzheimer’s research and Circadian clocks

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

The committee for the Oregon Partnership for Alzheimer’s Research announces the recipients of the 2009 – 2010 OPAR grants. Congratulations OPAR Grant Recipients! The Oregon Partnership for Alzheimer’s Research Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009- 2010 OPAR grants. These grants are made possible through the Oregon Tax Checkoff program.  You can support […]