Latest news with #ShinshuUniversity
Asahi Shimbun
4 days ago
- Science
- Asahi Shimbun
Study: Water bugs with wider paternal care get more mates
A male giant water bug with eggs on its back and a female bug (Provided by Shinya Oba, an associate professor of biology at Nagasaki University) Men desperate for affection from females could learn a lesson from the mating habits of giant water bugs. According to a study by researchers from Hiroshima Shudo University, Nagasaki University and Shinshu University, male giant water bugs that show tenderness and care for a wider number of potential offspring--even those of other fathers--are particularly popular among female bugs. Giant water bugs are about 2 centimeters long and found primarily in rice paddies and reservoirs. Females of the aquatic species lay their eggs on males' backs during breeding season from spring to summer. The variant, closely related to the shield bug, is called 'kooimushi' (baby-carrying insect) in Japanese. It takes about 10 days to two weeks for the eggs to hatch. Males are occasionally loaded with more than 100 eggs during the process. This heavy burden makes it impossible for males to fly. Despite the escalated risk of predation, the males regularly rise to the water surface to provide oxygen to the eggs. The devoted insect fathers also stretch their legs over their backs to brush dirt off the eggs and keep them in good condition. The study to determine bug popularity was started in 2012 by Tomoya Suzuki, an assistant professor of biology at Hiroshima Shudo University. Suzuki belonged to the graduate school of Shinshu University at the time. Twenty male and 20 female giant water bugs were collected in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, and placed in a breeding cage for voluntary mating. The team of scientists determined the parentage of 390 of the 2,640 hatched larvae through DNA data. The genetic analysis found that males that carried more eggs tended to produce more descendants in their lifetimes. The scientists also found that an average of 35 percent of the eggs carried by the males were offspring of other males. The results confirmed the hypothesis in previous research by Shinya Oba, an associate professor of biology at Nagasaki University and a member of the team. Oba theorized that 'males who closely care for eggs are more often chosen by females for mating partners.' 'It has been confirmed that even if the eggs come from other males, bearing more of them on their backs increases the likelihood that they will further propagate,' Suzuki said. PATERNAL BUG CARE According to the research team, male insects rarely care for eggs or larvae on their own. This behavioral pattern, called paternal care, has also been observed in bird and fish species. As paternal care naturally takes a heavy toll on males, such behavior was believed limited to circumstances in which the biological relationship between fathers and children was certain. The water bug research has cast doubt on this conventional notion. The team's findings were published in the international academic journal Ecology and Evolution in late April. The researchers plan to examine paternal care styles in the Japanese giant salamander and millipede species.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists make surprising discovery about plants that may transform how we grow food: 'Could help develop new strategies'
A groundbreaking discovery about how plants defend themselves against environmental threats could transform the way we grow food, per Researchers have identified a previously unknown role of peroxisomal proteins in boosting plant immunity. This surprising new finding could lead to innovative agricultural practices that enhance crop resilience while reducing pollution. Agriculture is at the heart of feeding a growing global population, but it's also a major contributor to pollution and climate change. Crops face ever-increasing challenges from pests, diseases, and environmental stressors like drought. Traditionally, chemical pesticides have been used to mitigate these threats, but they too come with environmental costs. The discovery of a natural mechanism for enhancing plant defenses could significantly reduce the need for these harmful inputs. The research, published in Plant and Cell Physiology, was conducted by a team from Shinshu University in Japan. They identified the protein HSR201 as essential for salicylic acid production, combining with specialized organelles known as peroxisomes via a distinctive targeting signal. Peroxisomes were already known to play a role in managing oxidative stress. However, this study reveals they are also critical in bolstering a plant's immune response. By understanding how these proteins work, scientists could use this natural defense system to create crops that are more resistant to environmental pressures. This breakthrough is a major step forward in sustainable agriculture. If these findings are applied to crop development, farmers could grow more robust plants that require fewer chemical inputs, cutting down on the pollution caused by traditional farming methods. Dr. Shinpei Katou, leader of the research team, notes, "We aim to improve our understanding of this process, which could help develop new strategies to potentially enhance crop resilience and sustainability." What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In addition to the environmental benefits, more resilient crops mean more stable food supplies, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change. This research could ultimately lead to improved food security by helping develop disease-resistant crops. With further research and development, crops utilizing this discovery could be available to farmers within the next decade. In the meantime, organizations like The Cool Down and others focused on sustainable farming practices continue to push for greener solutions to agricultural challenges. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
