Margaret Coulombe

The impact of nitrogen released from the burning of fossil fuels and widespread use of fertilizers is much greater that previously recognized. Scientists say the impact even extends to remote alpine lakes. --by Margaret Coulombe

A lack of individual options among ants minimizes their opportunities to make mistakes. As a result, they may be more rational in their decision making than we big-brained humans. --by Margaret Coulombe

Engineers are looking to schools of fish and flocks of birds to help develop better machines. Robustness, scalability, and the ability to function without complex central control are desirable features of artificial systems, and they can be found all over the natural world. --by Margaret Coulombe

Color might be the key to snagging a mate--at least if you're a male jumping spider. by Margaret Coulombe

For decades there has been a controversy about whales eating fish in the tropics. The debate has been at the heart of policy decisions about the culling of whales and is pivotal to the future of commercial whaling in the region. New research, however, shows that culling whales in an attempt to restore fish populations is not scientifically sound. --by Margaret Coulombe

Cuatro Cienegas, in Mexico's Chihuahuan desert, might hold the key to secrets about microbial evolution, the Cambrian Explosion, speciation, extraterrestrial life, and just about everything else. That key is phosphorus. --by Margaret Coulombe

It looks like an ant. It moves like an ant. It even smells like an ant. It's an ant--right? Or maybe it's a cleverly disguised spider. --by Margaret Coulombe

Infidelity is found in all sorts of animal and insect groups, including other highly organized social organisms, such as ants. Unlike humans, however, worker ants that stray from social norms are rarely, if ever, successful. Chemical signals give them away. --by Margaret Coulombe

Say goodbye to invasive electrodes--scientists may be able to use ultrasound to remotely stimulate brain cells. --by Margaret Coulombe

ASU kicks off a yearlong celebration of the life and work of Charles Darwin with two talks from noted biologist E. O. Wilson, including the launch of a new book on insect societies written by Wilson and ASU biologist Bert Holldobler. --by Margaret Coulombe