Natural Resource Today Weekly - Issue #134

Author

Rendy Mulaudzi
August 17, 2025

The most significant scientific findings you need to know.

Western New England University:

A new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry presents compelling evidence that fresh grapes deserve recognition as a superfood, citing their extensive health benefits.

University of Zurich:

New research, published in the journal PLOS Biology, reveals that wild chimpanzees display communication patterns that closely resemble those of humans.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology:

Seed dispersers are vital to forest health and climate resilience, according to researchers in a study published in the journal Nature Reviews Biodiversity.

University of Auckland:

Researchers have found that sleep disturbances can affect how birds sing. Their study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, focused on common mynahs.

Paris Cite University:

Scientists have discovered that certain fatty acids can alter the structure of brain cells that manage cholesterol. Their study, published in the journal Nature Communications, shows that these changes could affect how the brain processes cholesterol, which is vital for brain health.

New York University:

Researchers argue that current models for predicting floods and droughts are insufficient. In their opinion piece in PLOS Water, they highlight that these models often miss key factors and fail to reflect the complexity of real-world water systems.

University of Waterloo:

A global study finds that people commonly rely on their own judgment when making complex decisions. The research is published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

Fudan University:

In a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, researchers reveal that tropical cyclone clusters (when multiple storms form and strike in close succession) are becoming more common in the North Atlantic.

CABI:

Researchers have identified more than 9,000 pest species in Uganda that were previously undocumented. The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Agronomy, highlights serious risks to agriculture, biodiversity and food security.

University of Massachusetts Amherst:

River flows in High Mountain Asia are changing due to glacial melt, according to a new study published in the journal AGU Advances.