An "oracle" for predicting the evolution of gene regulation
Despite the sheer number of genes that each human cell contains, these so-called "coding" DNA sequences comprise just 1% of our entire genome. The remaining 99% is made up of "non-coding" DNA—which, unlike coding DNA, does not carry the instruction.....»»
Political pros no better than public in predicting which messages persuade, researchers find
Political campaigns spend big bucks hiring consultants to craft persuasive messaging, but a new study coauthored by Yale political scientist Joshua L. Kalla demonstrates that political professionals perform no better than laypeople in predicting whic.....»»
"Wing spreading" adaptation in fruit flies offers insights into female courtship behavior
In the game of evolution, key behavioral adaptations that confer fitness in survival and reproduction, paying tremendous dividends for an individual's progeny, may seemingly arise from thin air—so much so, even familiar species like the humble frui.....»»
Advances in taro research: New gene silencing system enables rapid gene function verification
A research team has established a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system in taro, enabling researchers to rapidly verify gene functions in this underutilized crop. Utilizing a tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based vector, the study paves the way for s.....»»
New insights into mango evolution: Study reveals extensive hybridization within the Mangifera genus
A research team investigated whole chloroplast genomes and nuclear gene sequences from 14 species, uncovering new insights into the genetic diversity and hybrid origins of mango species. They used the evolutionary relationships within the Mangifera g.....»»
Researchers seek understanding of early life on earth following Chilean expedition
In a discovery that may further our understanding of the early evolution of life on Earth, a research team, including associate professor Andrew Palmer and master's student Caitlyn Hubric, identified Chile's deepest and most northern cold seeps—ope.....»»
Google Calendar Might Replace Google Tasks
Google Tasks has undergone quite the evolution from its initial launch many years ago. It’s a pretty great app these days, but in typical Google fashion, the company might be eyeing a way to replace it with an already existing service. Spotted.....»»
Machine-learning analysis tracks the evolution of 16th-century European astronomical thought
A team of computer scientists, astronomers and historians in Berlin has used machine-learning applications to learn more about the evolutionary history of European astronomical thought in the 15th and 16th centuries. In their study published in the j.....»»
NASA to launch solar coronagraph to Space Station
NASA's Coronal Diagnostic Experiment (CODEX) is ready to launch to the International Space Station to reveal new details about the solar wind including its origin and its evolution......»»
New study explores adoption of robotic weeding to fight superweeds
Most corn and soybean fields in the U.S. are planted with herbicide-resistant crop varieties. However, the evolution of superweeds that have developed resistance to common herbicides is jeopardizing current weed management strategies. Agricultural ro.....»»
Prolonged brain development of marmosets could serve as model for human evolution
The development of primate brains is shaped by various inputs. However, these inputs differ between independent breeders, such as great apes, and cooperative breeders, such as the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and humans. In these species, gro.....»»
Scientists identify gene that regulates pod width in snap beans
iSnap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a significant vegetable crop globally, with its immature pods harvested as the edible part. Pod dimensions–length, width, and thickness–affect the size and ease of harvest. This is particularly for manual plu.....»»
Pivotal gene found to confer heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), widely cultivated in the cool-season for forage supply and turfgrass, is extremely susceptible to high temperatures. A recent study has discovered a pivotal stress-responsive gene, combating heat stress in pere.....»»
Pesticides: Farming chemicals make insects sick at non-deadly doses—especially in hot weather
The various regulatory systems for approving pesticides in operation around the world are crude and flawed. This has long been clear to scientists and it is deeply worrying, as this regulation is supposed to protect people and the environment from ha.....»»
AI Regulation and the Challenges of Misinformation in the 2024 Presidential Election
The next U.S. president will have to contend with regulations around AI—and the electorate is already facing AI-generated misinformation......»»
The Secret Electrostatic World of Insects
Invisibly to us, insects and other tiny creatures use static electricity to travel, avoid predators, collect pollen, and more. New experiments explore how evolution may have influenced this phenomenon......»»
Study reveals the twists and turns of mammal evolution from a sprawling to upright posture
Mammals, including humans, stand out with their distinctively upright posture, a key trait that fueled their spectacular evolutionary success. Yet, the earliest known ancestors of modern mammals more resembled reptiles, with limbs stuck out to their.....»»
City of Madeira Beach holds packed townhall on FEMA"s 50% regulation
City of Madeira Beach holds packed townhall on FEMA"s 50% regulation.....»»
"True hybrid" mice might reveal how new species emerge
Forty years ago, a postdoctoral researcher named James McGrath who would go on to spend more than three decades as a clinical geneticist and research scientist at Yale, made a discovery that advanced scientists' understanding of gene control and the.....»»
Understanding the influence of specific gene mutations on starch properties in barley
Cereals such as rice, wheat, maize, and barley are essential in the human diet and have various uses in the food industry. Their suitability for different industrial applications depends on the properties of their grains. The major component of these.....»»
Drug delivery system overcomes circulatory roadblock that prevents gene therapies from reaching their targets
Exploiting the remarkable capability of viruses to transport gene therapies past what until now has been a circulatory roadblock is at the heart of a University of Alberta-led discovery that promises to re-energize the field of genetic medicine......»»