"environment" tag
Nafion has a low refractive index and high transparency, making it ideal to observe the plant roots through. Image: Lionel Dupuy

See-through soil will improve crops

The mysterious world of the rhizosphere revealed.

margay

Small cats gone wild

A mutilated pale grass blue butterfly found near Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant. Image: Chiyo Nohara/University of the Ryukyus

Mutant butterflies linked to Fukushima disaster

Forget your childhood radioactive superheroes, these insects have a lot more to worry about.

shiners3

BPA causes interspecies mating

The hormone-disrupting chemical makes it hard for fish to recognise their own species.

A spectacular Top End sunset. Image: Ecotours

The Top End in storm season

In the Top End, you’re never really alone. The red dust and open roads speak of a uniquely Australian brand of isolation; but it only takes a moment’s pause to hear the roar…

Brown Argus butterfly. Image: Keith Warmington

Rare butterfly expanding its ranges

Some species will suffer from climate change while others will thrive — it all depends on their interactions with other species.

Ocean pollution detected by robots

Robotic fish have been released in the waters of the port of Gijon, Spain, to detect marine pollution. The intelligent robotic fish developed by SHOAL, a European research project, is capable of detecting…

A male gambusia. Image: Bart Adriaenssens

Changing climate could affect pest fertility

A noxious fish species could benefit from increasing temperatures.

Young corn roots can emit sound of around 220 Hz. Image: Shutterstock

Talking trees

Plants can emit and react to sounds.

An extinct marsupial mega-herbivore, Diprotodon optatum. Drawing by Peter Murray/Image © Science/AAAS

Blame it on the hunters

New state of the debate: Australian megafauna hunted to extinction.

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