Important genetic origin of our senses identified
Having a head is quite an advantage. Although this may sound banal, it had to be tested in a long evolutionary process: As animal life developed, invertebrates initially dominated the oceans. These had already developed head structures, but the devel.....»»
How did the building blocks of life arrive on Earth? Zinc fingerprints in meteorites offer clues
Researchers have used the chemical fingerprints of zinc contained in meteorites to determine the origin of volatile elements on Earth. The results suggest that without 'unmelted' asteroids, there may not have been enough of these compounds on Earth f.....»»
New study reveals key players in global transshipment, boosting seafood transparency
Fish taxies—refrigerated cargo vessels or reefers that function as mobile ports for fishing boats—are frequently described as weak links in the traceability of the seafood value chain. For the first time, research has identified the owners of all.....»»
New bluetongue virus serotype, BTV-12, identified in the Netherlands
A new variant of the bluetongue virus has been identified in a sheep in Kockengen. It was identified as bluetongue serotype BTV-12, according to research by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR, part of Wageningen University & Research). The Europ.....»»
Plant stem cells: Understanding the biological mechanism of growth control
Researchers from the University of Freiburg have identified the HAN molecule as an important regulator that controls plant growth in conjunction with WOX5. Understanding this mechanism is relevant for breeding more resilient or higher-yielding crops......»»
AI decodes microbes" message in milk safety testing approach
By combining the genetic sequencing and analysis of the microbes in a milk sample with artificial intelligence (AI), researchers were able to detect anomalies in milk production, such as contamination or unauthorized additives. The new approach could.....»»
Up in smoke: DIY tech to combat wildfires
As wildfires become a more frequent and dangerous part of life, especially in the Pacific Northwest, finding solutions that everyone can use is more important than ever. By June 2024, the Pacific Northwest had already seen more trees burn than in all.....»»
Magnetoelectric nanodiscs offer remote brain stimulation without implants or genetic modification
Novel magnetic nanodiscs could provide a much less invasive way of stimulating parts of the brain, paving the way for stimulation therapies without implants or genetic modification, MIT researchers report......»»
In a rare disclosure, the Pentagon provides an update on the X-37B spaceplane
"This first of a kind maneuver from the X-37B is an incredibly important milestone." After more than nine months in an unusual, highly elliptical orbit, the US military's X-37B sp.....»»
The US military’s X-37B spaceplane is preparing for a “novel space maneuver”
"This first of a kind maneuver from the X-37B is an incredibly important milestone." After more than nine months in an unusual, highly elliptical orbit, the US military's X-37B sp.....»»
First greenhouse gas plumes detected with NASA-designed instrument
The imaging spectrometer aboard the Carbon Mapper Coalition's Tanager-1 satellite has identified methane and carbon dioxide plumes in the United States and internationally......»»
Advanced model predicts gene architecture via nucleosome position
DNA—the molecule that carries the genetic information of all living organisms—is packaged within cells in a complex manner that allows it to function efficiently. Nucleosomes facilitate DNA compaction and also play a crucial role in regulating ge.....»»
Genetic tweaks show potential for making oats more nutritious and increasing shelf life
A recent study from McGill University proposes a way to enhance the nutritional value of oats by increasing their content of oleic acid, a type of healthy fat known for its cardiovascular heart benefits and potential to lower diabetes......»»
Poverty-level wages pose urgent problem for US childcare, study finds
A new report from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) at UC Berkeley finds that child care workers in every state struggle with poverty-level wages, even as they nurture and educate our children in the most important years of de.....»»
Psychedelic Mushrooms Are Getting Much, Much Stronger
Cultivators are turning to genetic sequencing and cellular-manipulation techniques to breed highly potent mushrooms—leaving some unprepared psychonauts in distress......»»
Genetic mechanism unlocks a key secret behind disease infection in crops
Researchers have unraveled a key genetic mechanism behind the way pathogens infect crops, leading to new strategies for breeding resistant crop varieties against other pathogens carrying the same genetic mechanism......»»
Sludge sequencing: High-throughput single-cell method reveals novel species and genetic diversity
Activated sludge is essential for removing contaminants from wastewater, and understanding the diverse microbial communities it harbors has been a significant task. Traditional methods fail to capture the full spectrum of microbial interactions. Due.....»»
Underwater caves yield clues that may help explain early expansion of Homo sapiens into Mediterranean islands
Archaeological surveys led by scientists at Washington University in St. Louis suggest that coastal and underwater cave sites in southern Sicily contain important new clues about the path and fate of early human migrants to the island......»»
James Webb discovers a new type of exoplanet: an exotic ‘steam world’
Researchers using James Webb have identified a new and exotic type of planet called a steam world, with an atmosphere almost entirely composed of water vapor......»»
New seed fossil sheds light on wind dispersal in plants
Scientists have discovered one of the earliest examples of a winged seed, gaining insight into the origin and early evolution of wind dispersal strategies in plants......»»
Scientists discover novel series of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors for potential new COVID-19 treatments
New research from The Wistar Institute's Salvino lab, led by professor Joseph Salvino, Ph.D., has identified a novel series of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors that may lead to potential new COVID-19 treatments that—according to preclinical testing—eff.....»»