Chromosome positioning during sperm differentiation described
Chromosomes occupy specific regions of the cell nucleus called chromosome territories. In somatic cells, scientists have observed that there is a correlation between this positioning and genome regulation. In fact, alterations in chromosome distribut.....»»
Unveiling the genetic blueprint of safflower
A research team has completed a high-quality chromosome-scale assembly of the Chuanhonghua 1 safflower genome. This work sheds light on the genetic underpinnings of crucial traits like linoleic acid (LA) and hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) production......»»
Social change may explain decline in genetic diversity of the Y chromosome at the end of the Neolithic period
The emergence in the Neolithic of patrilineal social systems, in which children are affiliated with their father's lineage, may explain a spectacular decline in the genetic diversity of the Y chromosome observed worldwide between 3,000 and 5,000 year.....»»
Twisted pollen tubes induce infertility in plants with multiple sets of chromosomes
Most mammals and humans have a double set of chromosomes—and as a rule, plants do, too: One set comes from the father, the other from the mother. Such organisms are called diploids. However, sometimes the number of chromosome sets doubles from one.....»»
Researchers clarify cryptic differentiation within enigmatic hemiparasitic love vine Cassytha filiformis
The widespread hemiparasitic Lauraceae genus Cassytha currently contains 19 described species, one variety and four forms. This genus is controversial and has not been satisfactorily resolved. Cassytha filiformis is cosmopolitan in tropical and subtr.....»»
New study finds potential targets at chromosome ends for degenerative disease prevention
We depend on our cells being able to divide and multiply, whether it's to replace sunburnt skin or replenish our blood supply and recover from injury. Chromosomes, which carry all of our genetic instructions, must be copied in a complete way during c.....»»
Fiat 500e braves Miami traffic but faces uphill sales battle
Fiat is positioning the electric 500e as a city car meant for quick trips, but persuading Americans to buy a small EV could be a challenge......»»
Using one single image to realize on-orbit calibration of space camera lens distortion
In various space tasks such as space rendezvous-docking and on-orbit maintenance, the measurement of the relative posture and position of non-cooperative spacecraft is a key component. However, the commonly used global positioning system, radar detec.....»»
Using suction cups inspired by fish to listen in on whale conversations
In their ambitious goal to understand and ultimately communicate with sperm whales, research scientists from Project CETI have enlisted the help of unlikely collaborators—clingfish......»»
Shark-bitten orcas in the Northeastern Pacific could be a new population of killer whale
UBC researchers believe a group of killer whales observed hunting marine mammals including sperm whales, as well as a sea turtle, in the open ocean off California and Oregon could be a new population......»»
NASA lights "beacon" on moon with autonomous navigation system test
For 30 total minutes in February, NASA lit a beacon on the moon—successfully testing a sophisticated positioning system that will make it safer for Artemis-era explorers to visit and establish a permanent human presence on the lunar surface......»»
New discovery reveals how the egg controls sperm entry
After the egg has been fertilized by a sperm, the surrounding egg coat tightens, mechanically preventing the entry of additional sperm and the ensuing death of the embryo. This is according to a new study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet a.....»»
A novel strategy to efficiently distinguish subtype-specific cardiomyocytes from human iPS cells
In a recent study led by Associate Professor Yoshinori Yoshida (Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation) and published in Communications Biology, a team of researchers identified CD151 as a marker for distinguishing subtype-specific cardiomyocy.....»»
Horizontal gene transfer: How fungi improve their ability to infect insects
Researchers at the Kiel Evolution Center have investigated for the first time in detail how a fungus important for biological plant protection can pass on an advantageous chromosome horizontally, using a previously little-studied way of exchanging ge.....»»
Researchers reveal how a virus hijacks insect sperm: May help control disease vectors and pests
A widespread bacteria called Wolbachia and a virus that it carries can cause sterility in male insects by hijacking their sperm, preventing them from fertilizing eggs of females that do not have the same combination of bacteria and virus......»»
Double trouble at chromosome ends: New study alters our understanding of telomere biology
Half a century ago, scientists Jim Watson and Alexey Olovnikov independently realized that there was a problem with how our DNA gets copied. A quirk of linear DNA replication dictated that telomeres that protect the ends of chromosomes should have be.....»»
Centuries-long analysis suggests biodiversity is differentiating and homogenizing to a comparable extent
The tendency of communities and the species within them to become more similar or more distinct across landscapes—biotic homogenization and differentiation—are approximately balanced, according to a new study published in Science Advances......»»
Application of ultrasound found to greatly speed up motility of human sperm
A team of engineers at Monash University in Australia has found that exposing human sperm to ultrasound can cause them to swim faster. In their study, published in the journal Science Advances, the group exposed human semen samples to ultrasonic wave.....»»
New insights in the regulation of genetic information exchange
Within every cell in our body, our DNA is tightly bundled with proteins to form structures known as chromosomes. The commonly known shape of a chromosome relates to an X-shaped appearance in many organisms. The formation of the X-shaped chromosome re.....»»
Scientists successfully simulate protein complex that initiates fertilization
Researchers at ETH Zurich recently developed highly realistic simulations of the proteins on sperm and egg cells coupling together before they fuse. These findings enabled the research team to solve several mysteries of fertilization at once, which c.....»»
How HIV smuggles its genetic material into the cell nucleus
Each year, about 1 million individuals worldwide become infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. To replicate and spread the infection, the virus must smuggle its genetic material into the cell nucleus and integrate it into a chromosome......»»