ecology – TechieTonics

Book Review: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert

March 9, 2023March 10, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

In The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Elizabeth Kolbert explores the current state of biodiversity loss and the role that human activities have played in causing it. Kolbert is an American journalist and author. She is the editor of “The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2009” and the author of “The Prophet of Love: And Other Tales of Power and Deceit,” “Field Notes from a Catastrophe,” and “The Sixth Extinction,” for which she won the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction in 2015. The Sixth Extinction provides a detailed analysis…

Molecular Atlas of Spider Silk: Fibrous Protein Assembly

March 4, 2023March 4, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Researchers at Southwest University in China have successfully constructed the chromosomal-scale genome assembly as well as the complete spidroin gene set of the golden orb-weaving spider. The chromosomal-scale genome assembly represents genome sequence; while the spidroin refers to proteins in spider silk. Different spidroins determine the varieties in spider silks. With this new insight, researchers can dive deeper into the silk-producing capabilities of spiders. Eventually, this might lead to the development of new materials with desirable mechanical properties.

Microplastics Aggravate Severity of Disease: Fish Mortality

February 5, 2023February 5, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Recent study has shown that the presence of microplastics can increase the severity of a viral fish disease. This highlights that microplastics not only pose serious threats to ecosystem and human health, but also to aquatic organisms.

Book Review: The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries by Donald R. Prothero

January 18, 2023January 18, 2023 Pooja Kashyap

Since the origin of life in 3.5 billion years ago, hundreds of millions of species might have lived on planet earth. Most of those are extinct by now. In his exceptional book, The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries: Amazing Fossils and the People Who Found Them, Donald R. Prothero has tried to surface those species that led to the landmarks in evolution. The idea was to signify evolutionary transition from one group to another. An interesting read for those who are looking for history of dinosaur science. Very…

Retinal Movements of Spider suggest REM Sleep: Arachnid is Dreaming

August 11, 2022August 11, 2022 Pooja Kashyap

After researchers have figured out that spiders use their silk to hear, scientists have discovered that arachnids have patterns of sleep cycles. In one such observation, they not only twitched their legs toward the sternum but and flickered parts of their eyes. The phenomenon is similar to REM sleep-like state.

Spiders Can Use Their Silk to Hear: Acoustic Properties of Webs

April 4, 2022April 4, 2022 Pooja Kashyap

Researchers at Binghamton University, in collaboration with Cornell University, suggest that spiders use their webs to assist in their hearing mechanism. Distinguished Professor Ron Miles and doctoral student Junpeng Lai conducted the experiment at the Binghamton University anechoic chamber.

Worms Sense Sound Through Skin: Auditory Transduction

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021 Pooja Kashyap

Researchers at University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute have determined that even though the roundworms lack ear like organs, still they are able to comprehend sound.

Probiotics Protect Bleached Corals from Death: Beneficial Microorganisms

August 15, 2021August 15, 2021 Pooja Kashyap

Coral reefs harbour the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem globally. Constant rise in temperature is causing havoc to marine life as well. Coral reefs across the globe are suffering from bleaching and mass mortality due to warming ocean temperatures. Recent research by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) shows probiotic treatment can boost coral health.

Human Cacophony Impacts Immunity Of Aquatic Organisms: Noise Pollution

September 17, 2020September 22, 2020 Pooja Kashyap

Human created noise impacts behaviour and physiology of underwater creatures. Stressed by noise pollution, fishes are not able to ward off diseases and this eventually leads to early death.

Our Consumption Habits Cause Trash In The Ocean: Marine Debris

September 15, 2020September 22, 2020 Pooja Kashyap

Marine trash or marine debris is human made solid material that is abandoned on beaches. This waste eventually goes into the ocean.

Plants Camouflaging with Odour: Survival Strategy

June 19, 2020June 19, 2020 Pooja Kashyap

Till now, we have known, humans and animals (including insects) have survival instincts. Its not just grit, its instinct. Sometime or the other, in our lives, we have experienced it too. But ever heard of plants displaying this survival strategy?

Queen Bee’s Tooting Initiates Swarming: Preserving Biodiversity

June 18, 2020June 18, 2020 Pooja Kashyap

It has been widely known for some time that queen bees make use of acoustical signals for communication amongst themselves. Now researchers have discovered an assortment of behavioural cues and other social signals that goes on within the waxy walls.

Spherical Solar Cells Boost Up Solar Energy Harvesting

June 14, 2020June 15, 2020 Pooja Kashyap

Flat solar panels dominate the world market when it comes to capture solar energy directly from the Sun. However, the flat design has a major limitation as it cannot keep track of sun’s apparent motion.

Protective Protein Guarding DNA Makes Tardigrades Indestructible: An Offbeat Genetic Constitution

September 22, 2016September 22, 2016 Neha Shukla

Tardigrades are water dwelling, eight legged microscopic organisms, also known as the water bears, are one of the most resilient organism (extremophile) known to survive in the most inhospitable conditions on earth and even in the space. They are found to thrive in extremely low temperature (as just above the absolute zero), in high temperatures (i.e above the boiling point of water), high pressure and can even withstand high radiation.

Male Widow Spiders Inseminate Young Females And Avoid Being Cannibalized: Spidery Sex Life

September 21, 2016September 21, 2016 Neha Shukla

Sexual cannibalism is very common in some species like the male coin spiders. Black widow and Redback female spiders are famous for slaying their partners soon after mating. The male widow spiders that are considerably smaller in size, are often seen voluntarily offering themselves to be eaten, with a hope that the female will give birth to his offspring. Sometimes, the males reaching out females are mistaken for prey and are killed even before copulation occurs.