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Flies Get Drunk on Purpose—But Not for the Reasons You Think

Drosophila flies show a strong attraction to ethanol and methanol, driven by evolutionary benefits in mating success rather than psychological responses.

11 Apr 2025

New Discovery Reveals How Cells Repair Damaged Mitochondrial DNA

Damage to the genetic material of mitochondria – the mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA for short – can lead to diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

7 Apr 2025

New Resource for Improving Pistachio Quality

California generates around $3 billion in economic value from the production of 99% of the country's pistachios. The absence of a high-quality DNA map, however, has contributed to the minor understudies of pistachios.

21 Mar 2025

Pregnancy Triggers Small Intestine Growth in Mice

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have found that the small intestine grows in response to pregnancy in mice. This partially irreversible change may help mice support a pregnancy and prepare for a second.

20 Mar 2025

Fruit Fly Study Reveals Temperature's Role in Brain Development and Behavior

The rate of development of poikilothermic animals, such as insects, fish, and reptiles, is determined by environmental temperature.

14 Mar 2025

Modeling Genetic Disruptions in Heart Development

In the process of heart development, cells move around and interact with one another to establish their positions, with significant implications: pairing with an incorrect cell can determine whether the heart functions properly or not.

13 Mar 2025

Rare ITSN1 Gene Variants Found to Significantly Elevate Parkinson's Risk

A new study published in Cell Reports reveals a breakthrough discovery linking genetic variants in the gene ITSN1 to a significantly elevated risk of Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative condition that affects nearly 2% of adults older than 65 years.

10 Mar 2025

New Genetic Discovery Could Lead to Larger Tomatoes and Eggplants

Bigger, tastier tomatoes and eggplants could soon grace our dinner plates thanks to Johns Hopkins scientists who have discovered genes that control how large the fruits will grow.

6 Mar 2025

Cryo-ET Reveals Retrotransposon Replication Inside Cells

An arms race is occurring within human cells: Transposons, also known as jumping genes or mobile genetic elements, can replicate and reintegrate themselves into the genome, posing a threat to genomic integrity by inducing DNA rearrangements and mutations.

6 Mar 2025

Unveiling the Role of NUDIX Hydrolase in Fungal Infection

Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU), in partnership with scientists from Germany and the United States, have identified a potent “weapon” employed by numerous pathogenic fungi to infect staple food crops like rice and corn. This discovery may lead to novel approaches for enhancing global food security.

28 Feb 2025

Wayne State Researchers Receive $1.8 Million Grant for Mitophagy Study

A recent award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health will aid Wayne State University researchers in their exploration of the underlying biology of several diseases.

22 Feb 2025

Fruit Flies Display Play-like Behavior for the First Time

In a recent study, scientists at Leipzig University have for the first time demonstrated play-like behaviour in flies.

17 Feb 2025

Understanding the World Beyond DNA and Genes

Curled up inside every single one of the trillions of cells in the human body is six feet of DNA, spooled tightly and carrying the genetic instructions that govern so much of who a person becomes.

17 Feb 2025

New AI Pipeline Revolutionizes Molecular Target Identification

When researchers create new molecules whether for agricultural applications, species management, or life-saving medications it is essential to identify their specific targets.

17 Feb 2025

DNA Methylation Governs Citric Acid Production in Lemons

Lemons owe their signature tang to citric acid, yet the molecular mechanisms governing its accumulation have long remained a mystery.

12 Feb 2025

Fruit Fly Immune Responses May Help Predict Human Susceptibility to New Viruses

Study on Drosophilidae shows positive correlations in viral susceptibility, highlighting evolutionary trends that may predict novel virus threats to humans.

12 Feb 2025