applied ecology

a greyish rhinoceros stands on a grassy hill; several other rhinos are sleeping on the ground nearby

Jun 5, 2023

How Studying Poop May Help Us Boost White Rhino Populations

Researchers have identified significant differences in the gut microbiome of female southern white rhinos who are reproducing successfully in captivity, as compared to females who have not reproduced successfully.

May 17, 2023

Newcomers May Change Ecosystem Functions – Or Not

Caddisfly study shows resident species can continue managing ecological processes when similar newcomers move in, but their role changes when newcomers are different.

a metal thermometer gently touches the back of a bee on a flower

May 17, 2023

Study Finds Carrying Pollen Heats Up Bumble Bees, Raising New Climate Change Questions

The study raises questions about how bee species will be impacted by a warmer world due to climate change.

woman wearing latex gloves measures an object on a surgical tray in a laboratory

Apr 24, 2023

Study Finds Significant Variation in Anatomy of Human Guts

Researchers found significant variation in the anatomy of the human digestive system, with pronounced differences possible between healthy individuals.

A male cockroach offers his abdomen to a female cockroach

Apr 19, 2023

Nature’s Chefs: Scientists Propose Food-Making as Means of Understanding Species Interactions

Researchers are proposing a new way to think of some interactions between species, classifying a variety of plants, animals and fungi as “nature’s chefs.”

Mar 7, 2023

What Do Messy Lawns Have to do With Bee Food? A Bee Expert Explains

An NC State bee expert weighs in as part of a series exploring whether the way we manage our home lawns and gardens could make a difference for pollinators.

woman doctor gives vaccine to a Black toddler being held by her mother

Feb 1, 2023

Study Underscores Lack of Diversity in Stock Photography Sites

Lack of diversity in stock photography makes it more difficult – and expensive – to create effective health education materials.

many ants swarm over a plastic plate containing different types of food. The plate is set on the ground, surrounded by leaves.

Jan 16, 2023

Climate Conundrum: Study Finds Ants Aren’t Altering Behavior in Rising Temperatures

The finding suggests ants may have trouble adjusting to climate change.

brown-furred marten with grey ears is perched on the branch of a pine tree

Nov 3, 2022

Carnivore Gut Microbes Offer Insight Into Health of Wild Ecosystems

The work highlights an emerging tool that will allow researchers and wildlife managers to assess the health of wild ecosystems.

Nov 2, 2022

Scientists Monitor Emerging Fungal Disease in Snakes

NC State researchers track snake fungal disease in small snakes.

Sep 22, 2022

Gut Microbiomes Help Bears With Very Different Diets Reach the Same Size

The study offers insights that will inform wildlife management.

Aug 3, 2022

Study Pinpoints ‘Win-Win’ Solutions to Protect Human Health and Conserve Ecosystems

Research examines academic literature to find 46 interventions that would simultaneously benefit humans and the environment.

Jun 13, 2022

Shorter, Wider Flowers May Transmit More Parasites to Bees

Flower shape has biggest effect on parasite transmission to bees, according to a new study.

an adult brown bear and cub stand on a small spit of land with a lake on three sides

Apr 8, 2022

What Shapes Gut Microbiomes of Alaska’s Brown Bears? Location, Location, Location

The finding helps us understand the relationship between wildlife habitat, diet and gut microbiome diversity.

Feb 24, 2022

Erin McKenney: A Microbe Love Story

From an internship with Disney’s Animal Kingdom to carnivore gut microbiome research, Erin McKenney has a diverse set of experiences revolving around microbes.