Plants Evolve Away from Obsolete Defenses When Attacked by Immune Herbivores, Study Shows

A new study shows that plants can evolve out of their obsolete defense mechanisms when facing an immune enemy, an illustration of the “defense de-escalation” evolution theory.

Studies Show Barnegat Bay Salt Marshes Provide Millions of Dollars of Water Treatment for Free – For Now

A pair of studies led by Academy of Natural Sciences researchers show that salt marshes along New Jersey’s Barnegat Bay are invaluable for removing nutrients — but they’re threatened by climate change.

Fossils Fuel This Student’s Attraction to the Academy

Kevin Sievers has been coming to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University since he was a little kid to learn about the ancient animal history on display. Now, as a Drexel student, he gets to work there.

Birds of All Feathers Work Together to Hunt When Army Ants March

When army ants move out, a new Drexel University study found that, instead of chasing each other away, birds work together to follow the column and hunt the insects that marching ants scare out of hiding.

Common Artificial Sweetener Likely a Safe, Effective Birth Control, Pesticide for Insects, Drexel Study Finds

Erythritol, a non-nutritive sweetener found in products like Truvia, has proven effective in killing fly larvae and slowing down their egg production, making it a good candidate for human and pet-safe pesticide use.

Drexel’s Vincent O’Leary Receives Truman Scholarship for Environmental Science

O’Leary is the first Dragon to be named a Truman Scholar, which provides a $30,000 scholarship toward graduate school for students pursuing careers in the public sector.

Drexel Takes Eco Education to the Movies at Philadelphia Film Festival

In search of new ways to promote awareness of the realities of climate change and global warming, Drexel faculty members have struck up a relationship with the Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival. The University is sponsoring a block of local films later this month.

Almost 4 Decades Later, Mini Eyeless Catfish Gets a Name

Discovered in a 1978–79 expedition, a pale, eyeless catfish that doesn’t even measure an inch long is now known as Micromyzon orinoco, for the South American river in which it was discovered.

At Climate Change Panel, Drexel Faculty Urges Action

Global warming requires an immediate and aggressive response around the globe, but it’s unclear whether the United States will participate under the new administration, according to a discussion led by Drexel professors. 

A New ‘King’ — New, Gigantic, Ancient Armored Fish Discovered

In the Arctic, a team that included scientists from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University found fossils of a giant new species of extinct armored fish that they named Bothriolepis rex — the new king of Bothriolepis.

‘Nursery’ Discovered in Belgium Provides Insight into Prehistoric Fish Life

The discovery of a group of young, prehistoric fish fossils provides some insights into the extinct creatures’ lives — and how fish today might be similar to them.

Mountaineering Ants Use Body Heat to Warm Nests

Underground army ants can keep their nests — called bivouacs — warm with their body heat; this social warming may enable fragile offspring to survive in chilly mountain forests , according to Drexel University researchers.