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Genetic Study Offers Hope for the Endangered Oriental Stork

A new genomic study of the endangered Oriental Stork reveals that the population's genetic health is still surprisingly strong, with high genetic diversity and low levels of inbreeding.

22 Oct 2024

Unlocking the Secrets of Life Through Synthetic Biology

It is one of the most fundamental questions in science: how can lifeless molecules come together to form a living cell? Bert Poolman, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Groningen, has been working on this problem for over twenty years.

22 Oct 2024

DeepUrfold: A New AI Model Uncovers Hidden Protein Relationships and Redefines Fold Space

This study introduces DeepUrfold, a deep learning model that uncovers subtle structural links between proteins, advancing the field of protein evolution.

21 Oct 2024

Disinfectants Foster the Growth of Novel Microbial Strains in Urban Settings

A recent study in the journal Microbiome has uncovered new strains of microbes that have evolved to utilize the scarce resources found in cities, revealing that daily habits are altering the composition of microorganisms in indoor environments.

18 Oct 2024

Research Advances Understanding of Gene Expression Mechanisms

During embryonic development, cells start out as pluripotent, or have the potential to become many different cell types through differentiation.

17 Oct 2024

Unveiling a New Cellular Phase for Protein Compartmentalization

Classical mixture theory, which takes into account the percentage corresponding to each constituent as well as the interactions among constituents, can be used to model a system made up of two substances in physics.

14 Oct 2024

A New Understanding of Dragonfly Adaptation to Climate Change

Temperature determines where species can live and if they are threatened by a warming climate. So, for a long time, biologists studied how heat tolerance affects survival. Yet, less is known about how thermal traits influence reproduction, which is directly linked to extinction risk.

14 Oct 2024

Dolphins at Play: A Dive Into the Evolution of Complex Communication in Marine Mammals

Findings on bottlenose dolphins show how playful behavior and open-mouth displays evolved, enhancing understanding of social communication in marine mammals.

10 Oct 2024

Unveiling the Enzymatic Riches of Spider Venoms

Spiders, as venomous creatures, employ their chemical arsenal for prey acquisition or self-defense. Their venom contains small neurotoxins that target the central nervous system of their targets.

8 Oct 2024

Living Microbes Unearthed in 2-Billion-Year-Old Rock

Pockets of microbes have been found living within a sealed fracture in 2-billion-year-old rock. The rock was excavated from the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa, an area known for its rich ore deposits. This is the oldest example of living microbes being found within ancient rock so far discovered.

4 Oct 2024

Discovering New Drug Targets Through Paralog Hopping

Some proteins in the human body are easy to block with a drug; they have an obvious spot in their structure where a drug can fit, like a key in a lock. But other proteins are more difficult to target, with no clear drug-binding sites.

3 Oct 2024

Structural Discovery of Fanzor Proteins Offers New Directions in Genome Engineering

A revolution in biomedicine is currently underway, driven by the application of genome engineering tools such as the prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas9.

3 Oct 2024

Unraveling the Mysteries of Endosymbiotic Relationships

Endosymbiosis refers to a remarkable biological process where one organism resides within another. This unique arrangement is frequently advantageous for both organisms involved.

3 Oct 2024

Xinjiang Cotton Fields Show Lasting Benefits From Mulched Drip Irrigation

Long-term mulched drip irrigation enhances soil health, reduces salinity, and increases cotton yields, showcasing its sustainability in water-scarce areas.

3 Oct 2024

Genomic Insights Reveal Path Forward for Inbred Red Fox Populations

A rescue effort can take many forms – a life raft, a firehose, an airlift. For animals whose populations are in decline from inbreeding, genetics itself can be a lifesaver.

27 Sep 2024

Metagenomic Study Reveals the Most Ancient Dairy Remains Known to Date

The oldest method of producing food with microorganisms in human history is food fermentation. Cheese production and consumption dates back to 7000 before the present (BP) among Mediterranean populations, and milk fermentation, for instance, dates back to 6000–4000 BC in India.

26 Sep 2024

Genome-Scale Analysis Reveals Cholera's Evolution

The genetic components that make the cholera-causing bacterium so lethal have been identified by experts using a state-of-the-art computational method, and this information may be crucial to averting the terrible illness.

24 Sep 2024

Unraveling the Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Fruit Size and Sugar Content in Wax Apple

A recent study has successfully decoded the autotetraploid genome of the wax apple, uncovering its genetic evolution and key factors driving fruit diversity. The research highlights the fruit's rich antioxidant profile, with promising implications for human health and breeding strategies aimed at enhancing nutritional value.

23 Sep 2024

Novel Tool Helps Identify Snake Venom Genes Across Species

Only about ten percent of the world's roughly 4,000 snake species have venom strong enough to seriously hurt a human, but that's enough for snake bites to be an important public health concern.

20 Sep 2024

Antifreeze Fish Shed Light on How New Genes Evolve

From where do novel genes originate? In a recent study, a group of University of Arkansas researchers studying biological sciences set out to address that topic.

20 Sep 2024