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Scientists are urging caution in the use of new genetic technologies for conservation purposes. In a new article, two scientists examine the possible consequences of the accidental spread of self-propagating gene drive systems and advocate for open international discussions of. . . Read More

Scientists have discovered seven new species of katydids from the island of Madagascar. They are some of the largest and bulkiest insects in the world, with forelegs that look like the biceps of a body-builder. But these giants might also have a tender side — it’s possible the. . . Read More

In my latest article for The Scientist, I highlight the work of Dr. Ximena Bernal. She studies a tiny fly that eavesdrops on the mating calls of a particular tropical frog. Once it locates a calling frog, the fly crawls to its nose, where it can easily bite through the skin for a. . . Read More

Researchers from Cardiff University in Wales have shown for the first time that genetically distinct populations of wild mammals have different “odor dialects.” In a new study, they describe how populations of otters from across the UK possess sex- and biogeography-specific odors. . . Read More

The past 27 years have seen a dramatic decrease in total flying insect biomass, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. Researchers report that flying insects in protected areas have decreased by more than 75 percent in the last three decades, and the decline cannot be. . . Read More