Identifying the genes that viruses "steal" from ocean microbes
The microbes that cycle nutrients in the ocean don't do the work on their own—the viruses that infect them also influence the process. It's a vital job for the rest of the planet, enabling oceans to absorb half of the human-generated carbon in the.....»»
The future of tick control: Identifying genetic tools to control cattle fever ticks
Research collaboration by the Texas A&M Department of Entomology and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, creates potential for genetic tools to control disease-spreading ticks......»»
Effects of extreme weather events on soil microbes shed light on climate change risks
New research has revealed how tiny soil microbes are impacted by extreme weather events, offering new insights into the risks posed by climate change......»»
Dogs prefer texture over shape when identifying objects, research reveals
In a new study exploring how dogs recognize and generalize objects, researchers from Eötvös Lorand University (Budapest) discovered that dogs prioritize texture over shape when identifying objects. The paper is published in the journal Scientific R.....»»
Marine heat waves" hidden depths revealed in study
As the ocean warms under climate change, a better understanding of how damaging marine heat waves develop and last may help scientists predict them more accurately and forecast their impacts on marine ecosystems......»»
Submarine canyon plastic accumulation is driven by turbidity currents, simulation study shows
Plastic pollution is an ever-pressing concern for the health of our ocean ecosystems and their inhabitants, with estimates of over 10 million metric tons of plastic litter entering the marine realm each year. While evocative images often highlight su.....»»
Scientists successfully use harmless viruses to investigate the nervous system in frogs
Virus. When you hear the word, you probably shudder. But not all viruses are bad or cause disease. Some are even used for therapeutic applications or vaccination. In basic research, they are often employed to infect certain cells, genetically modify.....»»
Scientists enhance Seaglider technology to measure carbon dioxide
Scientists around the world rely on ocean monitoring tools to measure the effects of climate change. Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and their industry partners have advanced the technology available to measure carbon dioxide in the.....»»
New model can predict marine heat waves, extreme ocean acidity months in advance
In the 21st century, the Earth's oceans are growing warmer and more acidic. This change is happening slowly over the long-term, but it can also cause short-term, local spikes......»»
Axion dark matter may make spacetime ring
Dark matter made out of axions may have the power to make space-time ring like a bell, but only if it is able to steal energy from black holes, according to new research......»»
New transformer-based AI model enhances precision in rice leaf disease detection
Rice is one of the world's most essential food crops, but its production is constantly threatened by leaf diseases caused by pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses. These diseases, which manifest as spots or blotches on leaves, can severely i.....»»
Earth-bound asteroids "could be tracked more precisely" with new equation
Identifying asteroids on a potential collision course with Earth could be made easier thanks to an advancement in how to track their orbits more precisely......»»
Cyanobacterial circadian clock uses an AM radio-like mechanism to control cellular processes
Cyanobacteria, an ancient lineage of bacteria that perform photosynthesis, have been found to regulate their genes using the same physics principle used in AM radio transmission......»»
Scientists develop AI tool for personalized phage therapy as a targeted alternative to antibiotics
With the rapid development of antibiotics in the 1930s, phage therapy—using viruses known as bacteriophages or phages to tackle bacterial infections—fell into oblivion. But as the current rise in antibiotic resistance is making it increasingly di.....»»
New Zealanders save more than 30 stranded whales by lifting them on sheets
More than 30 pilot whales that stranded themselves on a beach in New Zealand were safely returned to the ocean after conservation workers and residents helped to refloat them by lifting them on sheets. Four of the pilot whales died, New Zealand's con.....»»
Saturday Citations: Sweaty, remarkable humans; ocean level rise projections; closeup of a star in another galaxy
Since we last spoke, researchers at the University of Birmingham have defined the precise shape of a single photon (spoiler: roundish). Economists worry that Trump's grandiose deportation plans could lead to a recession. And astronomers report that t.....»»
Gene regulation study reports surprising results: Extensive regions of DNA belong to multiple gene switches
Some sequences in the genome cause genes to be switched on or off. Until now, each of these gene switches, or so-called enhancers, was thought to have its own place on the DNA. Different enhancers are therefore separated from each other, even if they.....»»
New technique points to unexpected uses for snoRNA across many cell types
Dynamic, reversible modifications of DNA and RNA regulate how genes are expressed and transcribed, which can influence cellular processes, disease development, and overall organismal health. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are a common but overlooked.....»»
Durable supramolecular plastic is fully ocean-degradable and doesn"t generate microplastics
Researchers led by Takuzo Aida at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) have developed a new durable plastic that won't pollute our oceans. The new material is as strong as conventional plastics and biodegradable, but what makes it spec.....»»
A vision-driven approach: Researchers advocate use of imagination in tackling climate crisis
In a new npj Ocean Sustainability article, ten researchers advocate the use of imagination in tackling the climate crisis. They focus specifically on urbanizing river deltas, which are of great social and economic importance and highly vulnerable to.....»»
DNA-based methods found highly effective for identifying insect species
A team of researchers from Linnaeus University and Linköping University, extensively evaluated DNA barcoding and metabarcoding methods. A comprehensive study has demonstrated that DNA-based methods are remarkably reliable for identifying insect spec.....»»