Individual genetics help determine composition of the gut microbiome
Microorganisms are involved in nearly all biological processes on earth. As an important component of a metaorganism, i.e., the community of a complex living organism with colonizing microorganisms, they are a central building block of life on our pl.....»»
Researchers develop framework for databasing properties of crystal defects
Point defects (e.g. missing, extra or swapped atoms) in crystalline materials often determine the actual electronic and optical response of a given material. For example, controlled substitutions in semiconductors like silicon are the backbone of mod.....»»
Scientists discover primary wound signal that promotes plant regeneration
In a study published in Cell on May 22, researchers led by Prof. Li Chuanyou from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences report their discovery that REGENERATION FACTOR1 (REF1) is the primary loc.....»»
Researchers propose use of electrical blackouts to determine impact of artificial light on wildlife
New research proposes the use of electrical blackouts, such as those experienced during loadshedding in South Africa, to enhance our understanding of how artificial light in urban areas may be affecting wildlife behaviors......»»
Researchers show taller plant communities are more productive and sensitive to climate warming
Climate warming, a result of increasing greenhouse gas emissions, is causing significant shifts in the composition of plant species with different traits worldwide. These changes are particularly pronounced in colder or higher elevation regions, wher.....»»
NASA"s compact infrared cameras enable new science
A new, higher-resolution infrared camera outfitted with a variety of lightweight filters could probe sunlight reflected off Earth's upper atmosphere and surface, improve forest fire warnings, and reveal the molecular composition of other planets......»»
Researchers identify gene important to adaptation and determine roots are a key to drought-tolerant maize
An international study headed by the University of Bonn has now demonstrated the important role of the plant root system in maize, a crop that can grow successfully in very different local conditions......»»
AI model accurately predicts male fruit flies" courtship behavior in response to sight of a female
We've been told, "The eyes are the window to the soul." Well, windows work two ways. Our eyes are also our windows to the world. What we see and how we see it help determine how we move through the world. In other words, our vision helps guide our ac.....»»
Study explains regional differences in bird diversity in agroforestry systems
The diversity and ecological functionality of bird communities in tropical agroforestry systems are shaped by the surrounding landscape, in particular the extent and composition of the forest. An international research team led by the University of G.....»»
Unraveling the metabolic mysteries of turfgrass under heat stress
A research team has identified key metabolic composition differences between annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass under heat stress, revealing specific metabolites linked to heat tolerance. The findings underscore the potential to use these metabo.....»»
Astronomers determine Mars may face more potentially hazardous asteroids than Earth
A team of astronomers at Nanjing University has found evidence that Mars likely has more potentially hazardous asteroids in its path than Earth. In their study, posted on the arXiv preprint server, the group investigated the number of potentially haz.....»»
Composition of gut microbiota could influence decision-making
The way we make decisions in a social context can be explained by psychological, social, and political factors. But what if other forces were at work? Hilke Plassmann and her colleagues from the Paris Brain Institute and the University of Bonn show t.....»»
Sea otter study finds tool use allows access to larger prey, reduces tooth damage
Sea otters are one of the few animals that use tools to access their food, and a new study has found that individual sea otters that use tools—most of whom are female—are able to eat larger prey and reduce tooth damage when their preferred prey b.....»»
Scientists brew killer bee beer
Scientists from Cardiff University have used brewer's yeast that resides in the gut microbiome of killer honeybees in Namibia and applied it to develop a unique craft beer......»»
Genetics provide key to fight crown-of-thorns starfish
Scientists are one step closer to combating coral-destroying crown-of-thorns starfish, following a University of Queensland study into the pest's genetics......»»
Simulating diffusion using "kinosons" and machine learning
Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have recast diffusion in multicomponent alloys as a sum of individual contributions, called "kinosons." Using machine learning to compute the statistical distribution of the individual cont.....»»
New research employs shutter speed analogies to validate 55-year-old theory about chemical reaction rates
Chemical reactions are commonly depicted as transitions from reactants to products. However, such reactions involve many molecules, and the individual molecules themselves undergo frequently-occurring structural changes as they transform from the rea.....»»
How do mindfulness, compassion and need fulfillment affect satisfaction in midlife married couples?
Many people practice mindfulness or self-compassion techniques in their everyday life as part of their normal self-care routine. Although many studies support the individual benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion, few have focused on romantic re.....»»
How pooling solutions can be strengthened in road transport
Less than a hundred kilos of human weight, more than two metric tons of steel: individual road transport is a huge climate killer, and switching to electric vehicles is only part of the solution because manufacturing the vehicles also causes emission.....»»
Places with more college graduates tend to foster better lifestyle habits overall, research finds
Having more education has long been linked to better individual health. But those benefits are also contagious, say the co-authors of a new working paper......»»
Fine roots make the difference in metabolomes and microbiomes
Bacteria and fungi live together on the surface of plant roots, which can promote symbiotic interactions with the plant. Plant roots that are especially fine can support various niches for their microbial proliferations, but traditionally, microbiome.....»»