News: Research
The Lesser of Two Weevils: Size Differences in Some Insects Lead to Tradeoffs in the Competition for Mates
The largest males have bigger weapons, but smaller males have other advantages.
For Rainforest Amphibians, the Bigger the Toes, the Higher They Go
In rainforests in Gabon, amphibians with larger toes relative to their body length are found higher in the forest canopy.
Targeted Grazing May Help Beat Invasive Buffelgrass
Researchers head to Kenya to unlock the weaknesses of invasive buffelgrass to combat it here in Texas.
Otters, Especially Females, Use Tools To Survive a Changing World
A new study has found that individual sea otters that use tools — most of whom are female — are able to eat larger prey and reduce tooth damage when their preferred prey becomes depleted.
Red Flags: I’m Not the Bug for You!
The matador bug’s vibrant red hind-leg flags are neither a mating display nor a distraction tactic, they’re part of an elaborate defense strategy.
Why the Powerhouses of Cells Evolve Differently in Plants
New research solves a mystery as to why mitochondria in some plants evolve faster than others.
Climate Change and Habitat Loss Are Big Factors in Frog Pandemic
The worldwide decline in frog populations is due to a fast-spreading infection, but people also play a role.
First Brainwide Map Shows How Sex and Intimacy Rewire the Brain
Steven Phelps and his team found 68 brain regions in prairie voles associated with mating and bonding.
Genes That ‘Don’t Play Well Together’ Drive Development of Distinct Species
Justin Havird, Erik Iverson and their colleagues have identified genes involved in hybrid incompatibility in swordtail fishes.
Natural Labs: UT Field Stations Help Predict Drought Impact
UT scientists study how droughts affect local ecosystems at the Brackenridge Field Laboratory and the Stengl Lost Pines Biological Station.
