Earliest animal likely used chemical signaling to evolve into multicellular organism
The earliest animal likely used chemical signaling to evolve from a single cell to a multicellular organism, according to a study led by an Indiana University Bloomington scientist. The findings provide new information about how one of the biggest tr.....»»
On the way to light-controlled medicine: Researchers elucidate the structure of specific photoreceptors
Researchers in biology and medicine have long dreamed of controlling the activities of cells without, for example, having to use chemicals. After all, in a structure as complex as an entire organism, unwanted side-effects can often arise......»»
Biologist finds new ways to study snake venom
Dutch biologist Mátyás Bittenbinder developed new, non-animal methods to investigate tissue-damaging snake venom. In this way, he hopes to contribute to solutions for victims. Millions of people are bitten by venomous snakes every year. Of these, 4.....»»
Mammalian fossils reveal how southern Europe"s ecosystem changed during the Pleistocene
Fossils from more than 600,000 years ago reveal how Southern Europe's animal community shifted between warm and cold climate fluctuations, according to a study published October 23, 2024 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Beniamino Mecozzi from t.....»»
How bioacoustics and AI can help study animal populations in the forest and beneath the waves
Animal sounds combined with artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize biodiversity monitoring both on land and in aquatic settings according to researchers from the University of Copenhagen. By analyzing wildlife sounds, AI can now identify spec.....»»
Mobile phone networks and Bluetooth technology could help researchers improve animal tracking
Animal tracking studies for ecology and conservation all face technological limitations, such as high costs or the need for tags to remain in close proximity to detectors. In research published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution, investigators descr.....»»
New chemical treatment reduces number of plant pores that regulate water loss
Researchers from Nagoya University Institute of Transformative Biomolecules (WPI-ITbM) in Japan and their colleagues have identified and derivatized a chemical compound that effectively regulates the density of stomata in model plants. Stomata are cr.....»»
The case of a robot shark in a marine park raises questions about animal welfare
After five years of renovation, Shenzhen's Xiaomeisha Sea World finally opened its doors to the public. But the marine park soon found itself the object of international discussion as it was revealed their advertised real whale shark was actually a r.....»»
Oriental hornets do not get sick or die when consuming very large amounts of alcohol, study shows
A team of behavioral ecologists, zoologists and crop protection specialists from Tel Aviv University reports that Oriental hornets have the highest-known tolerance to alcohol in the animal kingdom. In their study published in Proceedings of the Natio.....»»
Rare fossils of extinct elephant document the earliest known instance of butchery in India
During the late middle Pleistocene, between 300 and 400 thousand years ago, at least three ancient elephant relatives died near a river in the Kashmir Valley of South Asia. Not long after, they were covered in sediment and preserved along with 87 sto.....»»
First mRNA vaccine against C. difficile infection developed in animal model
A new vaccine provides hope for treating and even preventing the highly contagious and difficult-to-treat Clostridioides difficile infection, more commonly known as C. difficile or C. diff......»»
Chemical trick activates antibiotic directly at the pathogen
Colistin is a last-resort antibiotic that is usually only used for severe infections with resistant bacteria. This is due to its severe kidney-damaging side effects, which occur in about 30% of treated patients. A research team at the Helmholtz Cente.....»»
Key role of structural defects in amorphous solid deformation uncovered
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune and the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) Pune have shown that the macroscopic deformation of amorphous solids is controlled by structural defects within the mat.....»»
Discovery of key protein for biosynthesis of plant defense steroids could enhance pest control strategies
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have identified GAME15 as a key protein that regulates the biosynthesis of both steroidal glycoalkaloids and steroidal saponins in plants of the genus Solanum......»»
Plant fungus provides new drug target for colorectal cancer therapy
Novel chemical compounds from a fungus could provide new perspectives for treating colorectal cancer, one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide......»»
Protein signaling pathway provides insights into cell migration and cancer metastasis
The innate immune response is the body's first line of defense against infection, and a successful immune defense takes a village: a combination of physical barriers, chemical attacks, and an army of specialized white blood cells. But maintaining and.....»»
Cryo-electron microscopy sheds light on endothelin signaling mechanisms
Endothelin is a peptide hormone known for its vasoconstrictive effects. Researchers at University of Tsukuba used cryo-electron microscopy to examine the complex structure of the endothelin receptor and G protein, which are crucial for signal transdu.....»»
Microbiome studies in humans and zoo animals pave the way for new drug development
Microorganisms do not just colonize the body of mammals during infections. Billions of microbes can be found on and in healthy humans and animals at any given time, communicating with each other via chemical signals and thus influencing their health......»»
Cats associate human words with images, experiment suggests
A small team of animal scientists at Azabu University, in Japan, has found via experimentation that common house cats are capable of associating human words with images without prompting or reward. In their study, published in the journal Scientific.....»»
"Old" star could provide new insights into star evolution
A newly discovered star could challenge some models of how stars evolve and the way they produce elements as they age......»»
Aquaculture could harm animal welfare or protect it, depending on what species the farms raise
The global aquaculture industry has tripled in size since the year 2000, with producers raising a mind-boggling diversity of species, from seaweeds and clams to carp, salmon and cuttlefish. Many of these creatures are undomesticated and lead complex.....»»