A male jumping spider cannot hide his intentions. A brilliant red face signals that the spider is in search of a mate.

Daphnia eat algae, and fish eat daphnia. Big fish eat the little fish, and people eat the big fish. If there are pollutants in the water, they can build up with each successive meal. The process is called bioaccumulation. ASU researchers want to know if nanomaterials are subject to this buildup. --by Melissa Crytzer Fry

Plants need sunlight to produce energy, but too much light can injure or kill them. Plants use a sophisticated process to defend against this damage. ASU scientists designed a molecule that mimics this process in order to understand adaptive self-regulation, a critical feature for advancing nanotechnology. --by Skip Derra

In the world of birds, where fancy can be as fleeting as flight, the color of the bird apparently has a profound effect on more than just its image. A new study of barn swallows reveals it also affects the bird’s physiology. --by Skip Derra

Could nanomaterials be toxic to humans? ASU scientists are using a filter membrane system that mimics the small intestine to find out. --by Melissa Crytzer Fry

Lake Tanganyika is an ecological jewel at the heart of desperate human misery. Prohibitions on fishing--designed to protect the fragile ecosystem--have angered local fishermen. These kinds of tensions between conservationists and local people are common. ASU researchers are working to strike a balance. --by Adelheid Fischer

ASU computing experts are using satellite images to help humanitarian organizations provide disaster relief to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar. The images could help determine if aircraft could land in an area or if roads are blocked, for example. --by Joe Kullman

Nanomaterials are in or on the surface of thousands of the products you use every day. They are part of toothpaste, stain-resistant clothing, sunscreens, plastic water bottles, and more. ASU researchers want to know if these microscopic materials are also making their way into the environment, drinking water and, ultimately, your body. --by Melissa Crytzer Fry