Curbing Climate Change: A Study Led by Louis Gross
Earther featured a study lead by researchers from UT and the University of Vermont about the climate model that factors in how humans react to climate change.
NIMBioS Study: Curbing Climate Change
Humans may be the dominant cause of global temperature rise, but they may also be a crucial factor in helping to reduce it.
Burghardt Shares Opinions on Pet Reptiles in New York Times
Gordon Burghardt, Alumni Distinguished Service Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, was quoted in a New York Times article about the debate on whether reptiles and amphibians should be house pets.
International Media Quote Burghardt on Compatibility of Reptiles, Amphibians and Modern Lifestyles
A debate over reptile pets erupted in a series of articles published recently in the journal, Veterinary Record. In a linked editorial, UT’s Gordon Burghardt said issues of health, best practices for keeping captives, and preventing disease transmission to humans “are important for veterinarians to address.”
UT Professor Comments in Nat Geo Story About Impact of Non-Native Species on Ecosystems
National Geographic reports a new study that says feral horses or camels may not “belong” where we put them, but they’re keeping the species wild and helping the ecosystem. Some say that wild horses grazing on the Western range or camels in Australia are on the “wrong” continent. This study argues that these animals should
Toxic Snakes Know They’re Toxic, Agrees Burghardt in New Scientist
UT professor Gordon Burghardt teamed up with Akira Mori, a professor at Kyoto University in Japan, to study how different snakes respond when fed toxic foods. In a recent New Scientist article, their researched showed that when snakes were fed toxic toads, they became aware they were toxic and would respond to threats with nuchal
Science Pubs Highlight Blum Hurricane Study
Michael Blum, associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, recently published a study in the journal Ecosphere about the socioecological disparities in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Several science publications picked up the article including Science News Online and Science Daily. The paper’s findings are particularly topical as communities in Texas and Florida continue to rebuild
Science Pubs Highlight Bat Research of Post Doc Leppanen
Christy Leppanen, a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, recently published a review that describes the scope in which invasive species threaten bats. The review summarizes the threats according to four categories: predation, disease, competition, and indirect interactions. Leppanen and her co-author identified threats of 37 invasive species to
New Scientist: Magic Mushroom Effects on Insects
The New Scientist published an article about the effects of hallucinogenic mushrooms and their insect-repellent properties. The work, conducted at the Ohio State, incorporated research from the lab of P. Brandon Matheny, associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and the research of former student Hailee Korotkin who graduated with a master of
Simberloff Comments on Forest-Species Study in New York Times
The New York Times featured a study that suggests stitching together forests can help save multiple species. The publication interviewed Daniel Simberloff, an ecologist at UT, who cautioned that the research relied heavily on debatable modeling assumptions.
Simberloff Talks to Science Mag About Rapid Evolution of Geckos After Dam Construction
Science Magazine recently reported that the construction of a dam in central Brazil has spurred fast evolution of geckos in the region. In just 15 years, the lizards’ heads have grown larger—an adaptation that allows them to eat a wider variety of insects made available by the dam’s creation. The finding may signal other rapid
News Sentinel Highlights Burghardt Expertise About Snake-Human Relationship
A recent Knoxville News Sentinel story explored mankind’s complex relationship with snakes particularly since the reptiles remain a part of so many cultures’ fears, focus of worship, captive exhibits and symbolic or religious meanings. UT’s Gordon Burghardt expounded on the psychology of snakes in this story. He noted that the fear of snakes can easily turn