Iowa State researchers found colonies of an endangered species of bees residing in central Iowa, serving to to stop the species from going extinct.
Iowa State researchers found uncommon rusty patched bumblebees in Ames and Fort Dodge communities following a summer season of analysis.
Amy Toth, a professor in ecology, evolution and organismal biology, and Anna Tucker, affiliate assistant professor in pure useful resource ecology and administration, have begun their two and a half yr analysis challenge on social insect biology. Their analysis is specifically centered on social bees and wasps.
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“So this can be a principally area primarily based challenge, and we go round to a wide range of completely different websites throughout the state of Iowa,” Toth mentioned. “Primarily, we do surveys and search for the presence of uncommon and endangered bumblebees. We’re specializing in two species: one is the federally endangered rusty patched, after which the opposite is the declining American bumblebee.”
The jap facet of Iowa has been reported to have populations of the rusty patched bumblebee, each beforehand and thru their workforce’s area research this previous summer season. However, the discovering of those bees in central Iowa has been excellent news for his or her analysis and hopes of the bee specie’s future.
“They could be necessary for conservation,” Toth mentioned. “One of many issues with an endangered species is that if the inhabitants is tremendous small, they’re going to finish up inbreeding after which that ensuing lack of genetic variety can truly result in what’s referred to as an ‘extinction vortex.’”
Toth mentioned an extinction vortex is when the inhabitants of a species turns into so small that the shortage of genetic variety results in later generations growing extra well being issues. The invention of rusty patched bumblebees in central Iowa helps to make sure the species can have the mandatory genetic variance.
Among the many workforce is graduate scholar Kelsey Shepherd, a graduate scholar in pure useful resource ecology and administration, who was one of many researchers who traveled the state doing surveys. The workforce discovered rusty patched bumblebees at solely 4 of the 50 websites surveyed.
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“What we did for the occupancy surveys was what’s referred to as a fast survey,” Shepherd mentioned. “We surveyed for half-hour, and we’re simply netting each bumblebee we noticed, ID’ing it, and noting what species it was. At those self same fast surveys, we did a habitat survey, so we famous each flowering plant species after which another habitat options.”
These surveys may assist the workforce decide what bumblebee species had been within the space and what explicit environments these species can thrive in. The finding out of the habitats is meant to assist find different rusty patched populations within the states and in addition to have a greater understanding for conservation efforts for these bees.
The later survey efforts by the analysis workforce could be to gather the bees, do measurements on them in an effort to do a fundamental evaluation, and launch them again into their habitat. The present consensus by the analysis workforce is that the rusty patched bumblebees want forested areas with close by rivers and prairies.
“We hope that we will proceed to search out them there,” Shepherd mentioned. “It’s a very good signal; it means they’re surviving, they usually could be even in locations that we don’t know they’re.”
The workforce’s subsequent step is to do an additional evaluation on the bees’ well being primarily based on the measurements they discovered. Subsequent summer season, the workforce plans to focus on their analysis into the kinds of environments the place they’d success discovering the rusty patched bumblebees.
No. 17 Iowa State goes into its home game against Kansas State on Saturday night as one of the Big 12 teams with the highest probability of making it to the conference championship game next week.
That calculation comes from conference officials putting pencil to paper to figure out all the scenarios that could unfold on the final weekend of the regular season.
Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said his team just needs to worry about itself and not the myriad of possibilities that could determine the matchup for next week’s Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“To me,” he said, “all that other stuff is wasted time, effort and energy.”
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If the Cyclones (9-2, 6-2, No. 18 CFP) beat the Wildcats (8-3, 5-3, No. 24 CFP), they probably would be in. Arizona State would be the likely opponent if the Sun Devils win at Arizona.
So much would have to align for the Wildcats to advance — starting with beating Iowa State — that coach Chris Klieman said he didn’t plan to address the possibilities with his players. He said he wouldn’t have to anyway.
“The kids know,” he said.
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
Going for 10
The Cyclones are trying to become the first team in the program’s 133-year history to win 10 regular-season games. Wildcats’ tight end Will Swanson said he wasn’t aware of the 10-win milestone until a reporter told him. He indicated he and his teammates would like to keep the Cyclones from achieving it.
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“I’ll probably have to mention that,” he said, laughing.
Up and running
K-State quarterback Avery Johnson appears to be back to his old self. The staff tried to reduce his rushing attempts after he was injured Oct. 12 at Colorado. There were no limitations on him in last week’s 41-15 win over Cincinnati. He ran 10 times for 70 yards, including a 33-yard burst and a 21-yard touchdown.
“People saw when he’s healthy, we’re really good on offense,” Klieman said.
Cold, but no snow
Temperatures are expected to be in the teens in Ames, but no snow is in the forecast. Heavy snow fell during last year’s game in Manhattan, Kansas. Abu Sama III ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns and the Cyclones’ defense made a fourth-down stop in the final minute to preserve a 42-35 victory.
“I just remember the snow and Abu running wild,” ISU receiver Jayden Higgins said. “There definitely was a lot of snow on the field.”
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K-State’s Swanson said the game reminded him of a backyard football game but that it “panned out terribly.”
“Some spots there were 6 inches of snow,” he said. “I remember I caught a ball and I got tackled. I was face-first in the ground and had a pound of snow between my face and my facemask.”
Injury update
Klieman said RB Dylan Edwards could return against the Cyclones after sustaining a no-contact leg injury two weeks ago against Arizona State.
Campbell said S Drew Surges will be available and DT J.R. Singleton and TE Ben Brahmer are on track to play.
Colorado Buffaloes (5-1) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (4-1)
Lahaina, Hawaii; Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Colorado and No. 5 Iowa State play at Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii.
The Cyclones are 4-1 in non-conference play. Iowa State ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 41.2 points per game in the paint led by Keshon Gilbert averaging 9.2.
The Buffaloes are 5-1 in non-conference play. Colorado ranks fifth in the Big 12 shooting 39.3% from 3-point range.
Iowa State makes 49.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.2 percentage points higher than Colorado has allowed to its opponents (40.8%). Colorado averages 13.9 more points per game (77.7) than Iowa State gives up (63.8).
The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Gilbert is scoring 16.8 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Cyclones.
Elijah Malone is averaging 14.3 points for the Buffaloes.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Video: Kirk Ferentz on Iowa’s QB situation heading into Nebraska matchup
Kirk Ferentz discusses a variety of topics ahead of Iowa’s matchup with Nebraska.
Iowa football (7-4) returns home on Friday, hoping to finish its regular season strong against Big Ten Conference foe Nebraska (6-5). NBC will show the 6:30 p.m. CT contest.
The Hawkeyes are coming off an encouraging 29-13 win at Maryland. Nebraska, meanwhile, lost 28-20 at USC last time out.
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Here’s how to watch the Iowa vs. Nebraska game on Friday, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:
Watch Iowa vs Nebraska on Peacock
What channel is Iowa football vs Nebraska on Saturday?
TV channel: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network
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Iowa vs. Nebraska will be broadcast nationally on NBC in Week 14 of the 2024 college football season. Streaming options include Peacock.
Iowa vs NBC football time on Friday
Date: Friday, November 29
Start time: 6:30 p.m. (CT)
The Iowa vs. Nebraska game starts at 6:30 p.m. CT from Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
More: Leistikow’s thoughts, prediction for Iowa-Nebraska football: A senior class to celebrate
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Iowa vs Nebraska football predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Moneyline: Iowa -210, Nebraska +170
Spread: Iowa -5.5
O/U: 39.5
Predictions
Iowa football vs Maryland preview content
More: Leistikow’s thoughts, prediction for Iowa-Nebraska football: A senior class to celebrate
More: Podcast: Where Iowa football stands heading into Black Friday finale vs. Nebraska
More: Iowa football: Kirk Ferentz confirms Jermari Harris’ status for Friday game vs. Nebraska
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Iowa football schedule 2024
Aug. 31: vs. Illinois State, (W, 40-0)
Sept. 7: vs. Iowa State, (L, 20-19)
Sept. 14: vs. Troy, (W, 38-21)
Sept. 21: at Minnesota, (W, 31-14)
Oct. 5: at Ohio State, (L, 35-7)
Oct. 12: vs. Washington, (W, 40-16)
Oct. 19: at Michigan State, (L, 32-20)
Oct. 26: vs. Northwestern, (W, 40-14)
Nov. 2: vs. Wisconsin, (W, 42-10)
Nov. 8: at UCLA, (L, 20-17)
Nov. 23: at Maryland, (W, 29-13)
Nov. 29: vs. Nebraska, 6:30 p.m., NBC
Record: 5-3
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