Rodielon Putol

United States

Staff Writer at Earth.com

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Articles

Urban wildflowers may be harming bees

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol |Eric Ralls

In cities around the world, empty lots and old industrial sites are being transformed into patches of color and life through the planting of wildflowers. These green spaces are meant to help pollinators such as bees and butterflies, providing much-needed food sources from urban wildflowers. But new research suggests that the soil beneath these flowers might be doing more harm than good.
Satellite data could help protect 30% of Atlantic ocean habitats

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol |Eric Ralls

A recent study suggests that satellite data can help protect 30% of ocean habitats in the Atlantic, while minimizing the disruption to shipping and fishing. The experts propose a practical way to meet global biodiversity targets without major sacrifices to economic activity. The study was led by scientists at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Centro de Investigación Marina y Alimentaria (AZTI), supported by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Bird competition: How warblers share trees without fighting

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol |Eric Ralls

If you’ve ever watched songbirds squabble at a backyard feeder, you’ve seen a small glimpse of the competition animals face for limited resources. While some species seem to be constantly at odds, others – even those that appear quite similar – manage to coexist in surprising harmony. For decades, a classic theory from the field of ecology has suggested that forest-dwelling warblers share trees by using different parts of them.
How a tree's chemical defense could spark future medical breakthroughs

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol |Eric Ralls

Trees in tropical forests, which thrive in some of the most biologically rich ecosystems on Earth, are known for their staggering diversity. But a new study shows that the chemical diversity hidden within those trees may be just as impressive – and just as important. Trees don’t just differ in size, shape, or leaf color. Each one brings its own chemical strategy to the forest floor, using unique compounds to fend off pests and diseases.
Artificial glaciers are helping farmers survive a water crisis

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol |Eric Ralls

In the high-altitude valleys of northern Pakistan, where snow-capped peaks loom above all year round, communities are facing a water crisis. Warmer winters have brought less snowfall and disrupted the spring melt that traditionally waters their fields. But instead of waiting for help to arrive, local farmers have turned to a surprising source for potential solutions – YouTube.
Animal movement predictions matter more than ever

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol |Eric Ralls

At any single moment on Earth, billions of animals are on the move. Birds cross continents, marine mammals traverse vast oceans, insects pollinate fields and orchards, and mammals – from foxes to hedgehogs – navigate their way through forests, grasslands, and even city gardens. These movements are not random; they are vital threads, in the fabric of ecosystems, that support biodiversity, regulate natural cycles, and ultimately sustain life on Earth.
'Alarming' levels of microplastics found in every major European river

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol |Eric Ralls

Microplastics have been found in alarming concentrations in some of Europe’s most iconic rivers. From the Thames to the Tiber, researchers discovered that no waterway was free from this form of pollution. The findings are based on a large collaborative effort that highlights the widespread and often invisible presence of microplastics in Europe’s freshwater systems.
People are falling in love with AI companions, and it could be dangerous

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

It’s no longer unusual for people to form emotional or even romantic bonds with artificial intelligence (AI). Some have gone so far as to “marry” their AI companions, while others have turned to these machines in moments of distress – sometimes with tragic outcomes. These long-term interactions raise serious questions: Are we prepared for the psychological and ethical consequences of emotionally investing in machines?
When the pressure builds, archaea go multicellular

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

Archaea are tiny, single-celled organisms often confused with bacteria. They live everywhere – from inside salty lakes to down our own guts – and yet, they rarely get the attention they deserve. Although they are unicellular and might look like bacteria on the outside, archaea are genetically closer to plants and animals. And now, new research shows they’re capable of something that was long thought to be exclusive to more complex life forms.
Fiddler crab mating relies on vibrations to attract females

1 week ago | earth.com | Rodielon Putol

04-12-2025Fiddler crab mating on the bustling mudflats of southern Europe is about sending seismic love signals beneath the surface – quite literally. In their quest to attract a mate, male crabs produce ground vibrations as part of an elaborate courtship ritual. For the first time, scientists have recorded and analyzed these signals to understand how they communicate in a chaotic and noisy habitat.