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University of Michigan Study Reveals Dicamba's Unforeseen Ecological Impacts on Weeds

University of Michigan Study Reveals Dicamba's Unforeseen Ecological Impacts on Weeds

A study conducted by the University of Michigan has uncovered unexpected ecological effects of the herbicide dicamba on wood sorrel, a common weed. The research, produced in partnership with Harvest Public Media, indicates that while dicamba is designed to kill weeds at normal application rates, drift from the herbicide can alter plant growth and influence ecological interactions even without directly killing the plants. Dicamba, which has been used in agriculture since the 1960s, became more widely applied directly to soybean plants after dicamba-tolerant soybeans were introduced in 2016. This increased usage led to more apparent issues with herbicide drift, as dicamba can vaporize at temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit and travel several miles, affecting non-resistant crops and surrounding plant communities. Bob Hartzler, a retired weed scientist from the University of Iowa, described the widespread adoption of dicamba as a 'big black eye for agriculture' due to its lethal effects on non-resistant s...

University of Iowa Study Reveals Widespread Pesticide Contamination in Iowa's Environment

University of Iowa Study Reveals Widespread Pesticide Contamination in Iowa's Environment

A recent study by the University of Iowa has found widespread pesticide contamination in Iowa's environment, with pesticides detected in surface water, urban canopies, and indoor dust. Researchers analyzed 193 surface water samples from northeastern Iowa between 2024 and 2026, finding two insecticides, clothianidin and imidacloprid, in 98% and 82% of samples, respectively. Concentrations of these insecticides often exceeded EPA thresholds for aquatic life. Atrazine, an herbicide reclassified as 'probably carcinogenic to humans' by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, was found in 91% of samples analyzed in 2025 and 2026. Leaf samples from public parks and elementary schools in Iowa City also showed pesticides, with patterns matching typical agricultural application timelines. A pilot study in 28 rural and urban households revealed pesticides in indoor dust, including fungicide azoxystrobin in 80% of samples and imidacloprid in 79%. This research, part of the Iowa Integrated Network for Science,...

Grizzly Bear Deaths Reach Record High in Yellowstone Region

Grizzly Bear Deaths Reach Record High in Yellowstone Region

Grizzly bear fatalities in the Yellowstone region have escalated to an unprecedented level this year, with at least 82 deaths recorded. This figure marks a modern record for the area, indicating a significant increase in mortality rates for the grizzly bear population. The Yellowstone region, known for its robust wildlife, is a critical habitat for these apex predators. The rising number of deaths raises concerns about the factors contributing to this trend and their potential impact on the long-term viability of the grizzly bear population in this vital ecosystem. The specific causes behind this surge in fatalities are not detailed in the provided information, but the sheer volume of deaths points to a pressing issue for wildlife conservation efforts.

University of Oregon Colloquium to Detail Millennia of Drought and Fire Records from Lake Sediments

University of Oregon Colloquium to Detail Millennia of Drought and Fire Records from Lake Sediments

The University of Oregon's Department of Geography is hosting a colloquium featuring Professor Mitchell Power, curator of the Garrett Herbarium and professor at the University of Utah. Professor Power will present on "Stories from the Mud: The Last Three Millennia of Drought and Fire from Colombia and South Africa." His research utilizes lake sediment records to reconstruct past environmental changes, including wildfire activity, vegetation dynamics, and climate variability, extending beyond instrumental records. Over a decade of paleoecological fieldwork in Colombia and South Africa has allowed him to explore how sediment cores reveal shifts in fire regimes and ecosystem responses to drought, precipitation changes, and human land-use over several millennia. The presentation will delve into how regional climate variability, vegetation composition, fuel availability, and human activities interact to influence fire regimes, with a particular focus on extreme drought and large-scale climate patterns like El N...

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Addresses Feral Hog Management Challenges

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Addresses Feral Hog Management Challenges

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is highlighting the significant issues caused by feral hogs, an invasive species in the state. These animals are responsible for extensive damage to native flora and fauna, agricultural crops, livestock, and forest regeneration. Despite the popularity of sport hunting for feral hogs, the DNR emphasizes that this method is rarely effective in controlling their populations or mitigating the damage they cause. The department provides resources such as the 'Georgia Landowner’s Guide to Wild Pig Management' and a video series from the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts to educate the public on identification, biology, behavior, damage, and control methods for feral hogs. This initiative aims to equip landowners and the public with better tools and knowledge to manage this pervasive problem.

Estonian University of Life Sciences Awards Honorary Doctorate to Professor Markku Kulmala for Atmospheric and Climate Research

Estonian University of Life Sciences Awards Honorary Doctorate to Professor Markku Kulmala for Atmospheric and Climate Research

Professor Markku Tapio Kulmala of the University of Helsinki has been named an honorary doctor by the Estonian University of Life Sciences for 2026. Professor Kulmala is recognized globally for his significant contributions to atmospheric and climate research. His work primarily focuses on the formation of aerosols, which are very small particles in the atmosphere, and their subsequent impact on both air quality and the global climate. Additionally, Professor Kulmala has advanced the understanding of the complex interactions between the atmosphere and various ecosystems. He is noted as one of the most frequently cited geoscientists worldwide, underscoring the influence and importance of his research in the scientific community. The Estonian University of Life Sciences will formally honor Professor Kulmala at an upcoming academic ceremony.

Study Links Leaf Nutrients to Fall Foliage Timing

Study Links Leaf Nutrients to Fall Foliage Timing

A recent study by researchers at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment has revealed that the nutrient balance in tree leaves significantly impacts the timing of fall foliage. The study, led by ecologist Tong Qiu, found that the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in leaves influence when trees begin to change color and shed their leaves. Using data from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), the team analyzed nutrient content in tree canopies across 25 U.S. forests. They discovered that higher nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios were associated with earlier leaf drop in 20 of the forests studied. This research highlights the role of nutrient imbalances, often caused by human activities, in altering the natural timing of fall foliage. The findings could have implications for forest management and agricultural practices. (Source time: Thu, 12 Nov 2026 17:00:00 GMT)

New Study Reveals Dicamba Herbicide Causes Unusual Flowering in Wood Sorrel, Raising Ecological Concerns

New Study Reveals Dicamba Herbicide Causes Unusual Flowering in Wood Sorrel, Raising Ecological Concerns

A recent study from the University of Michigan has found that the herbicide dicamba, known for its tendency to drift, causes an unusual reaction in wood sorrel, a common weed. While many plants show damage from low doses of dicamba, wood sorrel produces more, albeit smaller, flowers. This phenomenon is a hormetic response, where low doses of a substance can have a beneficial effect. Researchers exposed wood sorrel to low doses of dicamba for two years, observing increased flowering and sometimes more seeds. This finding adds to a growing body of research indicating that dicamba, a widely used agricultural herbicide, may be incrementally altering ecosystems across the U.S. Dicamba has been used since the 1960s but its application directly to soybean plants became widespread after dicamba-tolerant soybeans were introduced in 2016, leading to increased issues with drift. The herbicide turns into a vapor at temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing it to travel miles and affect non-resistant crops and...

Study Reveals Distant Origins of Plastic Waste in Great Lakes, Emphasizing Upstream Responsibility

Study Reveals Distant Origins of Plastic Waste in Great Lakes, Emphasizing Upstream Responsibility

A new study published in the peer-reviewed journal ACS ES&T Water indicates that plastic waste entering the Great Lakes and oceans often originates far from shorelines, with half of the plastic bottles coming from at least 10 miles and up to 120 miles away. Researchers tracked plastic smoothie shakers equipped with GPS devices tossed into rivers across the U.S. and Canada, including the Chicago River. The findings suggest that cities and towns located upstream play a significant role in plastic pollution, challenging the traditional focus on shoreline cleanups. For instance, one shaker released into the Don River in Toronto traveled nearly 230 miles across Lake Ontario to Rochester, New York. This research is part of a broader initiative to raise public awareness and advocate for policy changes regarding plastic pollution.

NSF-Funded NewGeo Program to Host 'Rooted in Newark' Conference at Rutgers University–Newark

NSF-Funded NewGeo Program to Host 'Rooted in Newark' Conference at Rutgers University–Newark

The NewGeo program, an Earth and Environmental Sciences outreach initiative funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), will host its 'Rooted in Newark' conference on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Rutgers University–Newark. The event, which is free and includes breakfast and lunch, will take place from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Dana Library, Rooms 320/321. The conference aims to connect community, science, and the environment, focusing on how research and outreach can benefit local communities. Attendees can expect to see presentations of community-engaged research projects conducted by students across Newark, hear from community partners about environmental work in their neighborhoods, participate in interactive science demonstrations, and network with faculty and community organizations. The program is open to all majors, and no prior research experience is required.

Great Lakes Plastic Pollution Study Reveals Distant Origins of Waste

Great Lakes Plastic Pollution Study Reveals Distant Origins of Waste

A new study indicates that plastic bottles and other floating debris entering the Great Lakes can originate from as far as 120 miles away. Researchers, including those from Loyola University and the University of Toronto, tracked GPS-equipped smoothie shakers tossed into rivers across the U.S. and Canada, including the Chicago River. The findings suggest that approximately half of the plastic bottles washing into the Great Lakes and oceans annually come from significant distances upstream, challenging the focus on shoreline cleanups. This research is part of a broader effort to raise public awareness and influence policymakers regarding plastic pollution. Another related study, led by Chelsea Rochman, demonstrated that microplastics quickly sink to the bottom of lakes or wash ashore, and will remain suspended in water as long as pollution continues.

Starving Seabirds Wash Ashore in California, Raising Concerns for Wildlife Rescuers

Starving Seabirds Wash Ashore in California, Raising Concerns for Wildlife Rescuers

Wildlife rescuers in California are facing a new wave of distressed seabirds, primarily common murres, washing ashore in a starving and weakened state. Many of these birds are juveniles in their first year of life, struggling to find sufficient food in the open ocean. By the time they reach rehabilitation centers, many have suffered prolonged starvation, leading to organ damage that even intensive medical care cannot reverse. Pacific Wildlife Care, an organization with over four decades of experience, describes the scale and duration of this emergency as unprecedented. The first 24 hours are critical for these animals, with survival rates significantly increasing if they can be stabilized during this period. Those that survive often require weeks of intensive care, including warmth, fluids, medication, and nutritional support. The birds can also lose their natural waterproofing, necessitating specialized care to prevent hypothermia and pressure sores.