Researchers from the Research Group on Ruminants led by Elena Albanell, lecturer in Animal and Food Science, have successfully thwarted sheep and goats from eating olive tree and grapevine leaves. By conditioning the species’ palettes, researchers redirected their food preferences making them more willing to eat undesirable plants from pastures. Olive trees, grapevines, fruit trees,…

While founded with good intentions, wildlife trade bans may in some cases be worsening the plight of some endangered species, argues a commentary published in the journal Tropical Conservation Science. Looking at three animals listed under the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) — tigers, elephants and rhinos…

Many species are being forced to adapt to slowly rising temperatures around the world. However, some simply do not have the ability to change. They are stuck in a sort of “evolutionary straitjacket.” This includes many species of fruit fly, a common bug found in many houses circling overripe or rotting fruit. According to new…

Determined to stay its unpopular nuclear course, Iran is now turning to wind power and other renewable energy sources to blow past sanctions. Last year Karin reported that the current regime plans to produce 5,000 MW of solar energy by 2015, and in May this year, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad put aside an additional $620 million…

Electric cars are an axiom of clean transport planning – they produce no tailpipe emissions, little localised air pollution and, potentially, no greenhouse gas output. But as their critics point out, they are only as green as the electricity that they use. A power supply dependent on fossil fuels will produce greenhouse gas emissions from…

With names like “Golden Corn Nuggets” or “Creamy Sweet Corn” do you think you would be more inclined to choose corn as your side dish when going through the cafeteria buffet? What about “Powerful Peas” or “Rainforest Smoothie?” Do they sound more tempting than a bowl full of peas and a glass of vegetable juice?…

The latest update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s National Climatic Data Center states that August 2012 was one of the warmest months on record.

Biofuels are mostly produced from grains such as corn. In recent years, various types of wild grasses and other crops have been looked at to produce biofuels, but have yet to break through in a big way. A new study by the United States Department of Agriculture has uncovered a potential breakthrough candidate for biofuel…

A Canadian company expects to complete a study, within a year, to gauge the feasibility of extracting metals from hydro-thermal basins some 2,000 metres deep in the Red Sea, which could boost Saudi Arabia and Sudan’s access to metals, and create high-paying jobs.

Oil spills can have catastrophic impacts on marine ecosystems so it is important for responsible parties to make every effort to help mitigate these damages when they occur. Cleanup efforts have ranged from bioremediation, to controlled burning, to using chemical dispersants, and skimming. However, these clean up methods can take weeks to complete and are…