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The article focuses on the Colorado potato beetle, a destructive pest historically causing significant crop losses worldwide, despite false accusations of being used as a biological weapon. It highlights ongoing challenges in controlling the beetle due to its rapid evolution of resistance to over 50 different pesticides, prompting the development and approval of RNA-based pesticides like Calantha.

The article focuses on the rapid spread of bluetongue disease in northwestern Europe despite the introduction of new vaccines. Topics include the disease's resurgence in the Netherlands and its spread to other European countries, the limited effectiveness of the new vaccines, and the significant economic and agricultural impacts of the outbreak.

The article focuses on the development and application of synthetic gene drives in plants, a technology previously successful in animals but challenging for plant species. Topics include the engineering of Arabidopsis thaliana with genetic payloads inherited by nearly all offspring, potentially transforming weed management by targeting herbicide-resistant species.

The article discusses the unveiling of a historic collection of wheat genomes, emphasizing its potential to revive lost agricultural traits. Topics discussed include the genetic diversity found in 827 ancient wheat varieties, efforts to breed modern wheat with improved nitrogen efficiency and disease resistance, and the significance of preserving genetic resources for future crop resilience and productivity enhancements.

The Alaskan snow crab fishery in the Bering Sea has suffered a dramatic collapse due to a marine heat wave caused by climate change. The fishery, which typically yields a harvest worth $200 million or more annually, was closed down for the first time in history. While there is hope that the fishery will reopen in the future as water temperatures cool and young crabs become more plentiful, a recent study suggests that the long-term outlook is uncertain. The study indicates that conditions more closely resembling a boreal climate, which are now 200 times more likely to occur than in the mid-1800s, are detrimental to snow crabs. The collapse of the fishery has had severe economic consequences for fishing communities, and scientists are concerned about the implications for other fisheries around the world. [Extracted from the article]

A study of 230 fisheries suggests that computer models often overestimate the size of fish populations, leading to catch limits that are too high. The analysis found that 85% more fish populations have collapsed than recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. While some fisheries scientists argue that catch limits can include safety margins to compensate for uncertainty in the models, the study suggests that greater caution is needed. The researchers recommend setting aside large no-fishing reserves to allow stocks to grow, and newer models called "state-space" models may help improve accuracy. [Extracted from the article]

The brown tree snake, an invasive species in Guam, has caused significant ecological damage by driving most bird species on the island to extinction. Researchers have discovered that smaller snakes are killing birds too big for them to swallow, resulting in the death of twice as many Micronesian starlings as they consume. This ambitious appetite is unusual among snakes and poses an unexpected danger. Efforts to remove the snakes and protect surviving species may require a zero tolerance approach and new trapping methods. [Extracted from the article]

The Kihansi spray toad, a rare species found in Tanzania, has gone extinct due to a strain of chytrid fungus called BdCAPE, which was previously thought to be less harmful than the global strain. The extinction of the toad challenges the assumption that BdCAPE is relatively harmless and highlights the potential for disease to harm wildlife populations as habitat change continues. The presence of BdCAPE has also been detected in other parts of Africa, Europe, and the Americas, but its wider threat remains unknown due to limited surveillance. Efforts are being made to reintroduce the toad to its natural habitat, but its future survival is uncertain. [Extracted from the article]

Scientists are considering the idea of building a doomsday vault on the Moon to store biodiversity in case of global catastrophes. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, also known as the Doomsday Vault, experienced a scare in 2017 when an Arctic heatwave caused flooding. Mary Hagedorn, a biologist, and her colleagues propose using the Moon as a more reliable storage location for seeds and animal cells. The process of cryopreserving cells is already feasible, and the main challenge would be the engineering and governance aspects of establishing a lunar biorepository. The stored material could be used for space travel and to replenish ecosystems on other planets. The project is still in its early stages and requires further research and funding. [Extracted from the article]

Haplorchis pumilio, a microscopic flatworm, has been discovered to have a complex social structure and the ability to blow holes in competing parasites and suck out their guts. These "soldier" parasites have enormous throats and lack reproductive organs, indicating that they spend their entire lives as sterile soldiers. The adaptation allows them to dominate their snail hosts and potentially have an outsized ecological impact. However, there is a risk to wildlife and humans, as consuming raw wild-caught fish from infected areas could expose people to H. pumilio, which causes various pathologies. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the California Academy of Sciences implementing a five percent workforce reduction, heavily impacting its science division, amid financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and decreased visitor attendance.

Scientists in Brazil have found evidence that sharks in coastal waters near Rio de Janeiro are exposed to cocaine. Thirteen sharpnose sharks were tested and traces of the drug were found in their muscles and livers. The source of the cocaine is believed to be illegal labs where the drug is refined, as well as drug users via untreated sewage. Further research is needed to determine the potential harm to the sharks and humans who consume them. The findings highlight the increasing danger of cocaine pollution and the need for more testing in coastal waters. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Yale University researchers has found that the average tree trunk contains over 1 trillion fungi, bacteria, and other microbes. These microbes form unique communities that are specialized for different tree species. Some of these microbes could potentially be used as probiotics to protect trees from pathogens. The study also revealed that the microbial communities in the wood differ from those in the surrounding soil, raising questions about the origin of these microbes. This research could lead to new ways of protecting trees and understanding the functions of the microbes that live in plants. [Extracted from the article]

Geneticists have successfully engineered synthetic gene drives in plants, specifically Arabidopsis thaliana, a popular lab plant. These gene drives involve "selfish" genetic sequences known as toxin-antidote elements, which can be inherited by up to 99% of offspring. The success of these gene drives opens up the possibility of using them to combat weeds that have developed resistance to herbicides. However, there are challenges to overcome, such as gaining regulatory approval and convincing farmers to adopt the technology. Additionally, gene drives may not be effective for all types of weeds, and plants could potentially evolve resistance to them. [Extracted from the article]

Scientists have discovered that small plastic-covered shelters, or "saunas," can help frogs infected with the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) to cure themselves. The green and golden bell frog in Australia, which has seen its population reduced by 90% due to Bd, was used as a test subject. The shelters, which can be distributed widely, provide enough heat to kill the fungus and potentially save the species from extinction. This approach could also benefit other frog species that are at risk from Bd. However, challenges such as manufacturing and distributing the shelters and obtaining landowner permission may hinder widespread implementation of this method. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study published in Nature has highlighted the potential benefits of utilizing a collection of century-old wheat varieties to improve modern wheat crops. The collection, known as the Watkins collection, contains 827 types of wheat that have long vanished from farms. By sequencing the genomes of these landraces and comparing them to modern varieties, scientists have identified genes that could reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizer and increase resistance to wheat blast, a disease threatening global harvests. The collection, maintained by the John Innes Centre in England, is now available to researchers worldwide, offering a valuable resource for future wheat breeding efforts. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study published in Science has found that traffic noise can have long-lasting negative effects on the development of baby birds. The experiment, conducted on zebra finches, showed that exposure to traffic noise resulted in slower growth, lower red blood cell concentration, and damaged chromosomes in the nestlings. Additionally, these birds had fewer offspring compared to those exposed to bird songs. The study raises concerns about the impact of noise pollution on wildlife and suggests that similar effects may be observed in humans. The research highlights the need for better management of acoustic environments in both natural and hospital settings. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on tracking a deadly bird flu virus, H5N1, in Antarctica, particularly among Adélie penguins and other seabirds. Topics discussed include the virus's global spread, its impact on wildlife populations, and the urgency in studying and containing its transmission, especially with impending breeding seasons and potential risks to human visitors.

Scientists in Antarctica are tracking a deadly virus, known as clade 2.3.4.4b of the H5N1 subtype, that has been devastating wildlife populations around the world. The virus, which has killed hundreds of thousands of seabirds and marine mammals in Peru and Chile, has now reached Antarctica. Researchers are concerned that the virus will spread among densely breeding seabirds, particularly penguins, and cause further die-offs. The virus has already prompted changes in behavior for Antarctic researchers and tour operators, and there are concerns about the potential for the virus to spread to other continents. [Extracted from the article]

Scientists have discovered a simple chemical process that can extract iron from red mud, a waste product of aluminum mining, and turn the remaining substance into a useful material for making concrete. The process involves melting the red mud and exposing it to a plasma of ionized hydrogen atoms, which efficiently removes oxygen from the iron. If this process can be scaled up and proven cost-effective, it could help manufacturers produce climate-friendlier steel. However, further research and pilot-scale studies are needed to evaluate the economic viability and address potential challenges such as controlling fumes and sourcing clean energy. [Extracted from the article]