Biology
A closer look at hard-to-see cells could answer new questions about nerve damage and recovery
Under the microscope, mitochondria inside healthy terminal Schwann cells form a web of interconnected branches, with tiny doughnut-shaped loops appearing near where the cells bran…
Mushroom-derived peptides boost saltiness by up to 70%, offering a path to low-sodium foods
Scientists have found a way to make salt taste saltier without increasing its sodium content, a welcome development in the culinary world. Salt is a powerful flavor enhancer, draw…
Recycled fertilizers from sanitation systems are as effective as conventional fertilizers, study finds
Agriculture depends on a reliable supply of nutrients. Phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium, for example, are indispensable for agricultural crop production. However, natural reserv…
The surprising psychology of morbid curiosity - video
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s plan to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan has incurred condemnation from human rights groups and politicians on all sides. But acco…
Copper-resistant bacteria complicate efforts to keep ship hulls clean
Marine bacteria have evolved to bypass the copper-based coatings applied to ship hulls to stop the growth of barnacles, algae and other marine life. This necessitates new methods …
How much training is too much for a racehorse? New bone research has some answers
The old "more is better" mindset in racehorse training is changing. And with no link identified between higher racehorse training workloads and a trainer's success, there's a big …
Random mutations turn RNA droplets into cell-like structures that move and store cargo
A small number of random genetic mutations cause simple RNA droplets to transform into cell-like structures. In this process, they form cavities, can move and are able to take up …
Increasing woody vegetation may boost populations of Georgia's gamebird
Georgia has been a destination for quail hunters for more than a century. But recent declines in its bobwhite population have researchers searching for answers to boost the popula…
Illegal fungus release reveals tangled history of Australia's decadeslong battle with blackberry
Over the summer of 1983–84, a fungus called Phragmidium violaceum was introduced to Australia. It was done secretly, deliberately and illegally. And it was done for one purpose: t…
How cells make their command center accessible
The cells of higher organisms such as mammals, flies and fungi enclose their genetic material in a nucleus. A nuclear envelope, consisting of two stacked membranes, protects it. F…
Modified lentil protein mimics fat in non-fat yogurt
Modified lentil protein can act like fat in nonfat foods, especially yogurt, delivering creaminess and richness, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. The wor…
Hooked on tuna: People have been harvesting these ocean predators for 44,000 years
From a humble mayonnaise-laden sandwich to an expensive piece of sashimi, tuna is a prized source of food for people around the world. Once an inexpensive, easily shipped canned p…
Rangers reimagine AI in wildlife monitoring
As workplaces around the world wrestle with integrating artificial intelligence into their operations, researchers and rangers in the heart of West Arnhem are successfully embraci…
World's largest penguin colony loses its title after decline of more than 250,000 breeding pairs
Zavodovski, a volcanic island in Antarctica, is silently witnessing a shift in the local ecosystem. Known as home to the world's largest penguin colony, this island has long been …
Indonesia returns 20 green sea turtles to the ocean after Bali smuggling raid
Indonesian authorities on the tourist island of Bali released 20 protected green sea turtles back into the ocean Tuesday after they were found and seized on an empty boat seemingl…
Trill seekers: can scientists use AI and tutors to help birds remember lost songs?
When populations fall, fledglings can struggle to learn the right notes to attract mates. But research on how birds communicate offers hope for species’ survivalListening to birds…
Women ‘more likely to be told autoimmune conditions are psychological’
Cambridge University study suggests stark gender divide in misdiagnosis, with women also waiting longer for treatmentWomen with autoimmune conditions are up to 74% more likely tha…
The surprising psychology of morbid curiosity – podcast
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s plan to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan has incurred condemnation from human rights groups and politicians on all sides. But acco…
Snakebites are a far bigger problem than we knew: new study maps the hidden dangers
Not every snakebite injects venom. When venom enters the body, however, it can cause snake envenoming. This is a potentially fatal condition that mostly affects poor rural communi…
Bacterial antiviral defense suggests ancient link to human chromosome protection
A new antiviral defense system discovered by Columbia scientists could be adapted in the future into a gene editor that slows down aging in our cells and improves cancer therapies…
Reinforced vertebrae allow plunge-diving seabirds to survive high-speed impact
A northern gannet scans the sea for fish from 100 feet (30 meters) in the air. Upon seeing a school, it pitches its body into a nosedive, somehow breaking the surface at 70 miles …
Cholesterol-linked drug boosts gene-targeting potency in early findings
Nucleic acid therapeutics, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), have emerged as promising platforms for treating a variety of previously hard-to-treat diseases, including ne…
Baby tooth places macaques in northern Germany more than 300,000 years ago
A research team from the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment at the University of Tübingen and Leiden University in the Netherlands has examined a tooth f…
Tiny fossils reveal a missing chapter of ocean life after Snowball Earth
A rare assemblage of micro- and macro-fossils found in a roadside outcrop in South China, featuring thin ribbons, branching shapes and a tiny balloon on a stalk, offers a glimpse …