Tracking down the formation of cardenolides in plants

Researchers identify the first enzymatic step in the biosynthesis of these plant steroids important in the medical treatment of heart disease more

Division of labor affects the risk of infection

Ants that leave the nest to forage are more likely to be infected by parasites than their nestmates who take care of the brood more

It all depends on the genetic diversity

Natural tobacco mutants impaired in their defenses produce more offspring in years of low herbivore pressure and thus persist in plant populations more

Beewolf symbiosis: Protective shield for allies

The digger wasps protect their symbionts from toxic nitric oxide released by their eggs to kill pathogens more

Desert ants increase the visibility of their nest entrances in the absence of landmarks

If other visual cues are missing, ants build higher nest hills to facilitate homing of foraging nest mates more

Analysis of single plant cells provides insights into natural product biosynthesis

Single-cell multi-omics reveals that cell types are differentially involved in the production and accumulation of medically relevant plant compounds more

Chemical signal protects migratory locusts from cannibalism

Migratory locusts release a toxic substance to fend off their own conspecifics
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A dual symbiosis supports cuticle formation in wood-feeding beetles

Two bacterial partners supply auger beetles with vital nutrients for the synthesis of a sturdy exoskeleton more

Air pollution impairs successful mating of flies

High levels of ozone destroy the chemical mating signal of the insects and may thus contribute to global insect decline more

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