Biology & Evolution News

New TAU study investigates human/bird interaction in urban environments

A new study from Tel Aviv University (TAU) found that when humans are suddenly absent from the urban environment, the activity of the crows and ringneck parakeets that “live” in the area significantly reduces. Conversely, graceful prinias, which are generally considered shy, increased their activity. The research examined what happens to birds that are accustomed… Read More

TAU develops significant improvement to process of genetically cloning plants

Researchers from the School of Plant Sciences and Food Security at Tel Aviv University (TAU) and the Volcani Institute have developed new compounds that significantly increase the rooting efficiency of cuttings — typically small branches — taken from mature trees. Getting cuttings to root is a critical component in modern agriculture. A significant number of… Read More

“Rebooting” chemical simulations can lead to faster results

A new study from Tel Aviv University (TAU) has found that “stopping and restarting” sampling in a chemical simulation can facilitate faster results, extending a common practice in information technology. The research was led by PhD student Ofir Blumer in collaboration with Professor Shlomi Reuveni and Dr. Barak Hirshberg from TAU’s Sackler School of Chemistry…. Read More

TAU researchers grow tomatoes that consume less water without compromising yield

Researchers at Tel Aviv University (TAU) have succeeded in cultivating and characterizing tomato varieties with higher water-use efficiency without compromising yield. The researchers, employing CRISPR genetic editing technology, were able to grow tomatoes that consume less water while preserving yield, quality, and taste. The research was conducted in the laboratories of Professor Shaul Yalovsky and… Read More

Bats can tell that air over the urban areas is warmer than air over parks

In a creative collaborative effort between zoologists and geographers from Tel Aviv University (TAU), a new study utilizing bats to map “Urban Heat Islands” in the Gush Dan metropolitan area of Israel reveals that the air over the Ayalon Highway can be up to 5° Celsius (41° Fahrenheit) warmer than the air in Yarkon Park… Read More

Older bats suffer from hearing loss, TAU researcher says

A new study from Tel Aviv University (TAU) disproves the prevailing scientific assumption that bats are immune to age-related hearing loss. This assumption had led researchers to believe that they preserve a good hearing ability, enabling orientation even at an advanced age. The researchers found that the bats’ sense of hearing does in fact deteriorate… Read More

New TAU study finds that pregnancy affects sensing capabilities of bats

A new Tel Aviv University (TAU) study reveals that bats experience a decline in their ability to hunt and orient in space during pregnancy. This impairment stems from the fact that they produce about 20 percent fewer calls, the sounds that allow them to orient themselves using echolocation, on top of flying at a slower… Read More