Biology
Researchers invent novel eDNA membrane to advance understanding of inshore fish diversity
Monitoring marine life helps scientists track ecosystem health, improve conservation and manage fisheries. A promising approach is environmental DNA (eDNA), which refers to trace …
Parakeets, male or female, love a good fight
In a study of monk parakeets, researchers at the University of Cincinnati and Duke University found that sex has little to no impact on who initiates fights, who is targeted or wh…
Scientists discover dispersal mechanism and new gene family in harmful E. coli strains
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have identified how certain dangerous bacteria spread. They studied chain-like adherence pattern (CLAP) varieties of Shiga toxin-pro…
Structural study explains how cells stabilize protective membrane pockets
Our cells' membranes have many functions. They not only provide mechanical protection but also precisely control which substances enter or leave cells. If they fail to perform the…
AI models enable cross-species mapping of cell biology
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed two new artificial intelligence models of the biological cell. The first, called universal cell embedding, paved the way for a seco…
Every animal, even the smallest rodent, deserves safe anesthesia, say researchers
Laboratory animals are anesthetized to avoid pain during invasive procedures. Anesthesia is necessary for these animals' welfare, but it is not always without problems: Substandar…
Three DNA loops prove essential for efficient wing tissue regeneration in fruit flies
After an injury, DNA not only changes its activity but also the way it is organized spatially within the cell nucleus. In this process, certain regions of DNA establish new physic…
Forest fire smoke reduces bird diversity, study suggests
When forests burn, the direct consequences are obvious: houses go up in flames and habitats are destroyed. The damage caused by smoke extending far beyond the fire area is less vi…
Common wastewater pollutant turns male minnows into poorer parents and fiercer rivals
A team of researchers has found that a common wastewater pollutant turned male fathead minnows into worse fathers and fiercer rivals, revealing ecological impacts that laboratory …
Radiation-tolerant rotifers rebuild broken chromosomes over successive generations
DNA repair mechanisms are essential for maintaining the integrity of our genome. When they malfunction, they can cause disease or contribute to the development of cancer. Nature, …
Antibody cocktails could steer viruses into evolutionary dead ends
When a virus mutates, the world usually finds out the hard way. Variants of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can slip past vaccines and antibody drugs before scientists fully understand w…
Researchers identify rubber-related chemicals in Swiss milk
Every year, tire and road wear release an estimated 6 million tons of rubber particles into the environment, some of which eventually reach agricultural land through the air, wate…
First confirmed Diplodocus outside North America reshapes Late Jurassic migration picture
In a discovery that challenges our understanding of dinosaur distribution during the Late Jurassic period, paleontologists have identified the first evidence of the iconic Diplodo…
Only 1 out of every 5 amphibian type localities in Ecuador are in protected areas
In taxonomy, the location where specimens used to formally describe a new species are collected is called a type locality. These sites can be thought of as the species' formal bir…
Chocolate's new climate threat: Too much rain
Cocoa farmers in West Africa cannot stop intense downpours from damaging their crops. But they may be able to anticipate the risk and prepare, protecting both their livelihoods an…
Cancer-linked protein binds to chromosome in unexpected way, study finds
A new 3D structure of a cancer-linked protein bound to its cellular partner reveals details of how the protein binds to chromosomes and could offer insights for future disease tre…
Salicornia genomes reveal genetic secrets to farming on salty land
A University of Newcastle-led global study has produced the most complete genetic picture yet of a salt-loving plant with the potential to help grow food in some of the world's ha…
Mosquito 'toilet' detects West Nile and first Hedwig-like virus found in the Americas
When public health researchers want to know whether diseases such as COVID-19 or polio are circulating in a community, they can look for genetic evidence in wastewater.
Did you solve it? Do you have the brain of an engineer?
The answers to today’s puzzlesEarlier today I set four engineering puzzles. Here they are again with solutions. (Do check out the hundreds of great comments posted below the line …
The surprising history of woolly rhinos: They weren't always creatures of the frozen north
Woolly rhinoceroses (Coelodonta antiquitatis) were fascinating creatures: giant, lumbering Ice Age beasts with thick fur and massive horns that died out about 11,000 years ago. Pr…
Cryopreserved sperm could help safeguard the future of endangered pupfish
Using cryopreserved sperm alongside larger breeding populations in zoos and aquaria could dramatically improve the long-term survival prospects of endangered pupfish, according to…
Why do spruce take decades to reproduce? A genetic study offers some clues
New techniques have enabled researchers in Sweden to begin decoding how one of Northern Europe's most important coniferous tree species switches from growing branches to producing…
Evolutionary home advantage: Field experiment reveals adaptation to be surprisingly local
A research team from the University of Bern has shown in a large-scale field experiment that populations of the same fish species can be much more fine-tuned to their local enviro…
Diagnosing parasites that pose health risks for dogs, humans
Parasites in wildlife don't just pose a risk to their wild hosts—they can also spread to domestic animals and humans, making safe and reliable ways to screen for these pests criti…