Birds" dazzling iridescence tied to nanoscale tweak of feather structure
The iridescent shimmer that makes birds such as peacocks and hummingbirds so striking is rooted in a natural nanostructure so complex that people are only just beginning to replicate it technologically. The secret to how birds produce these brilliant.....»»
Malfunction in spermatogenesis: Researchers uncover contribution of cylicin proteins to male fertility
For successful fertilization, sperm should move forward rapidly and be shaped correctly. The unique structure of the sperm cells forms during spermiogenesis. Now, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Transdisciplinary Research.....»»
Protected Texas songbirds show up in pet stores abroad, due to elusive trafficking industry
In 1970, there were approximately 10 billion birds in North America. Now, there are around 7 billion, representing a loss of over a quarter of the continent's birds......»»
Florence Bell died unrecognized for her DNA contributions—decades on, female researchers are still being sidelined
Almost 80 years ago, Florence Bell quietly laid the foundations for one of the biggest landmarks in 20th century science: the discovery of the structure of DNA. But when she died on November 23 2000, her occupation on her death certificate was record.....»»
Fossil unearthed in Mongolia"s Gobi Desert suggests some dinosaurs slept in same position as modern birds
A team of paleontologists and biologists from Hokkaido University, Hokkaido University Museum, North Carolina State University and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, has uncovered a previously unknown species of dinosaur that appears to have slept in.....»»
Digitized records from wildlife centers show the most common ways that humans harm wild animals
At hundreds of wildlife rehabilitation centers across the U.S., people can learn about wild animals and birds at close range. These sites, which may be run by nonprofits or universities, often feature engaging exhibits, including "ambassador" animals.....»»
Testing the limits of AlphaFold2"s accuracy in predicting protein structure
Proteins, the workhorses of biology, are encoded by DNA sequences and are responsible for vital functions within cells. Since the first experimental measurement of a protein structure was made by John Kendrew in the 1950s, protein's ability to fold i.....»»
Nano-sized probes reveal how cellular structure responds to pressure
By giving living cells a "nano-poke" and monitoring the resulting changes in the intracellular environment, researchers have gotten their first glimpse of how whole cells respond to external mechanical pressure......»»
The formation of switchable and metastable discrete structures through chiral self-sorting
A paper titled "Thermo-/Mechano-Chromic Chiral Coordination Dimer: Formation of Switchable and Metastable Discrete Structure through Chiral Self-Sorting" describes chiral coordination dimers that emerge based on effectively exclusive chiral self-sort.....»»
Discovery of structural regularity hidden in silica glass
Glass—whether used to insulate our homes or as the screens in our computers and smartphones—is a fundamental material. Yet, despite its long usage throughout human history, the disordered structure of its atomic configuration still baffles scient.....»»
Adding calcium to soils can help increase organic matter, trap more carbon
Farmers add calcium to their soil for many reasons related to increasing crop yields—including regulating pH and improving soil structure......»»
Like the phoenix, Australia"s giant birds of prey rise again from limestone caves
Australia's only vulture, and a fearsome extinct eagle, are among the earliest recorded birds of prey from the Pleistocene period more than 50,000 years ago—and now Flinders University researchers are bringing them to life again......»»
Researchers tune the speed of chirality switching
Chiral molecules can have dramatically different functional properties while sharing identical chemical formulae and almost identical structures. The molecular structure of two types of a chiral molecule—so-called enantiomers—are mirror images of.....»»
Australian footprints are the oldest known evidence of birds from southern regions
Early birds had made it to southern polar environments by 120 million years ago, according to a study published November 15, 2023 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Anthony Martin of Emory University, U.S. and colleagues......»»
The "Cosmic Vine": Astronomers discover a large structure that hosts at least 20 massive galaxies
An international team of astronomers reports the discovery of a large-scale structure that consists of at least 20 massive galaxies. The structure, dubbed "Cosmic Vine," has a size of about 13 million physical light years. The finding was detailed in.....»»
Rapid purification and characterization of circulating small extracellular vesicles on a label-free lab-on-a-chip
All cells secrete nanoscale extracellular vesicles naturally as lipid-bilayer delimited particles. Therefore they are valid biomarkers to identify a variety of diseases......»»
New deep learning AI tool helps ecologists monitor rare birds through their songs
Researchers have developed a new deep learning AI tool that generates lifelike bird songs to train bird identification tools, helping ecologists to monitor rare species in the wild. The findings are presented in Methods in Ecology and Evolution......»»
What"s behind the toxic levels of mercury in tropical birds? Gold mining, study shows
The tropics are home to more than 75% of all species and are projected to support 50% of the world's human population by mid-century, but little is known about mercury pollution in these life-filled regions......»»
A lithium mine for EV batteries is coming to Arkansas, says Exxon
With EV incentives tied to domestic battery content, US lithium mines are needed. Enlarge / These are piles of lithium harvested in Bolivia; Exxon's site in Arkansas will look almost entirely unlike this as it will use direct li.....»»
Australia has more native bird species than almost anywhere else. What led to this explosion of diversity?
When you went out today, did you see any birds? A galah perhaps, or a crow?.....»»
Birds" nests express their unique style and past experiences, study finds
Walking through a town or city, you will encounter buildings with diverse shapes and sizes. These unique styles exist in part because the buildings were constructed by different architects, engineers and builders......»»