A new study shows fear of humans far exceeds that of lions in elephants, rhinos, giraffes and every other mammal across the African savanna.
Department of Biology
Hibernating insects regrow muscles on demand: study
New research from Western University has found potato beetles can break down and regrow muscles on demand, allowing them to preserve energy over the winter.
Predicting recovery of mercury-contaminated fish populations
Biology professor Brian Branfireun was part of a 15-year study, which shows how curbing pollution can have immediate benefits to the environment.
Fruit fly gene study critical first step in understanding complex human mating rituals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j_ttqoKhwA A new study from Western University identifies a specific gene in fruit flies that drives female mate acceptance and rejection – a vital discovery for understanding how all species, including humans, survive and thrive on...
Insect experts available to discuss ‘murder hornets’ and potential Canadian impact
Asian giant hornets – AKA ‘murder hornets’ – are the latest damaging invasive insects discovered in North America. Not unlike emerald ash borer, spotted wing drosophila, Asian long-horned beetle and the brown marmorated stink bug, murder hornets likely found their way...
Machine learning allows for ‘ultra-fast,’ ‘highly accurate’ classification of COVID-19 virus genomes
Using machine learning, a team of computer scientists and biologists from Western University and University of Waterloo have identified an underlying genomic signature for 29 different COVID-19 virus RNA (ribonucleic acid) sequences. This new data discovery tool will...
Researchers solve mystery of Tuvan throat singing
An international research team has uncoupled the mystery of how Tuvan throat singers produce distinctive sounds in which you can hear two different pitches at once – a low rumble and a high whistle-like tone. Fascinated with how this form of throat singing, known as...
New study shows significant amount of online feedback unopened by university students
A new study led by researchers from Western University and Queen’s University Belfast shows that many students do not even open the feedback that is provided by their instructors online. The study also suggests that male students with low grade averages are far less...
Tobacco plants transformed into ‘green bioreactors’ to benefit human health
Researchers at Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute are using tobacco plants as ‘green bioreactors’ to produce an anti-inflammatory protein with powerful therapeutic potential. The plants are being used to produce large quantities of a human protein...
Black widow spiders rely on posture and body dynamics for survival and sex
A new study led by Western University’s Natasha Mhatre shows that body dynamics and posture are crucial to how black widow spiders decode the important vibrations that travel through their webs and up their legs. Black widows rely on these vibrations for sexual...