science news 17.7.2019

Today's selection of science news. Links are normally to press releases on EurekAlert (at the bottom end I may also add a couple of newspaper stories). I include quotes from the summary (using quotation marks) in cases where the title alone doesn't reveal what the story is about. My own thoughts appear without quotation marks, if I have any.

* Newsflash - I may have to rethink my science news processing again, as twitter has turned all horrible with the latest update - making the desktop version look more like a mobile and act more like facebook. May have to look at alternative services again, like I did without much success in December when tumblr went pear-shaped. All suggestions welcome. *



evolution

Salt regulation among saltmarsh sparrows evolved in 4 unique ways
"A new study in Evolution Letters finds that different bird species in the same challenging environment--the highly saline ecosystem of tidal marshes along ocean shores--were able to evolve unique species-specific ways to address the same problem."



Four species of saltmarsh sparrows studied.
Credit: L-R: Swamp Sparrow, Kelly Colgan Azar; Song Sparrow, Jennifer Taggart; Savannah Sparrow, Kelly Colgan Azar; Nelson's Sparrow, Brian Harris


ecology

Joshua trees facing extinction
Good to see an Earthwatch project featured in the PRs, I used to write about their work quite a lot back in the 00s, but kind of lost track in recent years.


Timing is everything for the mutualistic relationship between ants and acacias
"Ant-acacia plants attract ants by offering specialized food and hollow thorns in which the ants live, while the ant colony in turn defends its acacia against herbivores. This mutualistic relationship only occurs in older plants. New findings from University of Pennsylvania plant biologists, identify the genetic pathway that appears to regulate the timing of the acacia's ant-sustaining arsenal."

University of Guelph researchers track how cats' weights change over time
"University of Guelph researchers have become the first to access data on more than 19 million cats and have learned that most cats continue to put on weight as they age."
Might be a good thing, actually, as fat cat's won't catch as many birds?


humans

Scientists identified the metabolic features specific to the autistic brain


Study finds transgender, non-binary autism link





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from the news media

Discovery of the duelling dinosaurs.