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Stunning 3D digital models visualize the surface of coral reefs in painstaking detail

Coral reefs are complex ecosystems, a jumble of microhabitats created by corals and the substrate beneath them: holes, areas that are smooth or rough, regions that have steep or shallow slopes.

6 May 2022

Two new genomic studies provide insight into evolutionarily unique traits of cephalopods

Squid, octopus, and cuttlefish – even to scientists who study them – are wonderfully weird creatures. Known as the soft-bodied or coleoid cephalopods, they have the largest nervous system of any invertebrate, complex behaviors such as instantaneous camouflage, arms studded with dexterous suckers, and other evolutionarily unique traits.

5 May 2022

Forest degradation drives bird habitat loss and population declines, study shows

Bird species that live in wooded areas are under stress from human-caused changes to forest composition, according to new research led by Oregon State University that quantifies the effects of forest "degradation" on bird habitat.

29 Apr 2022

Scientists propose a theory of brain map formation

Maps have played an important role in scientific progress. Claudius Ptolemaeus transformed our understanding of the world with his map of Earth and Tycho Brahe our understanding of the Universe with his map of the stars.

29 Apr 2022

Minor genetic differences impact the ability to utilize the energy of various nutrients

All animals require proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to survive. However, dietary differences between species, populations, and individuals can be significant.

25 Apr 2022

National DNA Day 2022: an interview with Professor Matthew Cobb

To celebrate National DNA Day 2022, we spoke to science communicator Professor Matthew Cobb.

From The University of Manchester 25 Apr 2022

Researchers explore how tRNAs evolve in protein synthesis

In the process of protein synthesis, a peptide bond is formed between two amino acids that are bound to two different transfer RNAs (tRNAs). Researchers have long been perplexed as to how these tRNAs evolved to be so near to one another on the ribosome.

From Tokyo University of Science 22 Apr 2022

Releasing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to protect the global community from dengue

Dengue is the most widespread mosquito-borne disease in the world, and to date, there are no medical treatments for people suffering from this disease.

21 Apr 2022

Researchers may have identified a key intermediate in the transition from prokaryotes to eukaryotes

All modern organisms fall into two classes, eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Eukaryotes (from the Greek meaning "true kernel") have a cell nucleus that harbors most of the cell's genetic information and includes organisms such as humans, plants and fungi.

20 Apr 2022

Epigenetic regulator helps determine lung cancer patients and their resistance to drugs

Doctors commonly use tyrosine kinase inhibitors, particularly epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, to cure patients with non-small cell lung cancer, a common and typically deadly kind of cancer that accounts for 80% to 85% of lung cancers.

20 Apr 2022

A single mutation can enhance the virulence of Zika virus

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have found that Zika virus can mutate to become more infective-;and potentially break through pre-existing immunity.

13 Apr 2022

Venomtech announces new drug development collaboration with Charles River

Venomtech is collaborating with Charles River Laboratories, International Inc. to help drug developers explore venom-derived compounds for a wide range of therapeutic targets.

12 Apr 2022

Researchers uncover a treasure trove of new data about RNA viruses

Ocean water samples collected around the world have yielded a treasure trove of new data about RNA viruses, expanding ecological research possibilities and reshaping our understanding of how these small but significant submicroscopic particles evolved.

8 Apr 2022

Transposons are a potential antibiotic resistance, a study reveals

According to biomedical engineers at Duke University, the physical mechanism that enables high doses of antibiotics to encourage the transmission of antibiotic resistance across bacteria is now identified.

7 Apr 2022

Chemical component geosmin’s taste makes bacteria-eating worms at risk

Geosmin has a distinct smell that pervades the air after a summer rainstorm or fills your nose when gardening. It smells like moist dirt—earthy and somewhat comfortable.

7 Apr 2022

Researchers employ CRISPR gene-editing technology in human blood to cure HIV

Northwestern Medicine researchers are employing recent developments in CRISPR gene-editing technology to discover novel biological method that could lead to longer-lasting treatments and new therapeutic tactics for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

5 Apr 2022

Researchers discover a gene linked to touch in sea anemones as well as hearing in humans

An international team of investigators, including several researchers in biological sciences from the U of A, have published a paper that reports the discovery of a developmental gene linked to touch in the tentacles of sea anemones as well as hearing in humans.

4 Apr 2022