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The human gut is home to an abundant and diverse community of microbes—each of us carries roughly 100 trillion, representing more than 1,000 different species. The composition of one’s gut microbiota is individually specific, dynamic, and influenced by genetics, diet, age,. . . Read More

Using camera traps, scientists have discovered that flying foxes in Malaysia are important pollinators of commercially valuable – and famously stinky – durian fruit trees. The footage revealed the bats had a positive impact on the production of healthy durian fruit.. . . Read More

Japan’s tiger keelback snake eats toxic toads and stores the toxins in specialised organs on the backs of their necks called nuchal glands. If a snake is threatened it arches its neck, making the nuchal gland area more prominent. A predator that bit the snake’s neck would. . . Read More

Jet ants mark their trails with hindgut secretions that contain a special blend of pheromones. Large numbers of foraging ants commute on these trails, transporting honeydew collected from aphids and other insects in their social stomachs, or crops. One particular species of sap. . . Read More

A new review of sustainable diets found those that reduced the amount of meat consumed had the most beneficial impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and land and water use. Vegan and vegetarian diets can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land use by as much as 70% and reduce. . . Read More