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.....»»
Nutrition needs drive bee appetites: New research findings may help to boost pollinator health, resilience
Most garden enthusiasts know that certain flowers can attract pollinators. New research helps explain why and also provides more details about how the nutrition found in plant pollen may determine which specific bee communities might favor your garde.....»»
Families will change dramatically over the years to come, says study
The number of relatives that an individual has is expected to decrease by more than 35% in the near future. At the same time, the structure of families will change. The number of cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren will decline sharply, while.....»»
Researchers develop algorithm to determine how cellular "neighborhoods" function in tissues
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have developed a new AI-powered algorithm to help understand how different cells organize themselves into particular tissues and communicate with one another. This new tool was tested on two.....»»
Size and shape of inhaled asbestos nanofibers may be exclusively responsible for pulmonary fibrosis
The pathogenic potential of inhaling the inert fibrous nanomaterials used in thermal insulation (such as asbestos or fiberglass) is actually connected not to their chemical composition, but instead to their geometrical characteristics and size. The r.....»»
Scientists engineer plant microbiome for the first time to protect crops against disease and cut use of pesticides
Scientists have engineered the microbiome of plants for the first time, boosting the prevalence of 'good' bacteria that protect the plant from disease. The findings published in Nature Communications by researchers from the University of Southampton,.....»»
Genomic "tweezer" ushers in a new era of precision in microbiome research
In a landmark study published in the journal Nature Methods, researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have unveiled mEnrich-seq—an innovative method designed to substantially enhance the specificity and efficiency of research into.....»»
The surprisingly resourceful ways bacteria thrive in the human gut
The gut microbiome is so useful to human digestion and health that it is often called an extra digestive organ. This vast collection of bacteria and other microorganisms in the intestine helps us break down foods and produce nutrients or other metabo.....»»
Research finds climate-dependent dispersal limitation plays an important role in mountain soil microbiome
Microbial communities are highly diverse, yet the mechanisms underlying microbial community assembly are not well understood. In 1967, Daniel Janzen hypothesized that low climatic variability along elevational gradients results in greater constraints.....»»
Samsung Wallet’s Digital ID Goes Live in Arizona
Back in October of this year, Samsung announced that its Samsung Wallet app would soon allow for support of digital IDs, like a driver license. Because this support requires coordination with individual states, the initial plan was for Arizona and Io.....»»
Spider-Man vs. Harry Potter: Which one is the best?
It's time for a showdown between the Wallcrawler and the Boy Who Lived, as we determine a winner in a battle of the icons that pits Spider-Man vs. Harry Potter......»»
Agronomists map evolution and genetic diversity of millet to increase yield
Compared to other cereals, millet (Panicum miliaceum L) has an important advantage—resistance to a more arid climate. Millet contains all the essential amino acids, 10%–15% of its composition is protein. However, millet yields less than wheat, fo.....»»
Study: “Smarter” dogs think more like humans to overcome their biases
Both the shape of a dog's head and cognitive ability determine degree of spatial bias. Enlarge / Look at this very good boy taking a test to determine the origin of his spatial bias for a study on how dogs think. (credit: Eniko K.....»»
Genetics of host plants determine what microorganisms they attract, finds study
Plants often develop communities with microorganisms in their roots, which influences plant health and development. Although the recruitment of these microbes is dictated by several factors, it is unclear whether the genetic variation in the host pla.....»»
Fish display distinct individual behaviors when swimming to find food, finds study
Fish from the same species can evolve their sense of smell and display individual foraging 'personalities' to successfully find food in different habitats, according to new research......»»
New method could help estimate wildlife disease spread
A new method could be used by biologists to estimate the prevalence of disease in free-ranging wildlife and help determine how many samples are needed to detect a disease......»»
9to5Mac Product of the Year: The new 15-inch MacBook Air
It’s been an exciting year for Apple fans, ranging from the introduction of new MacBook Pros, an expansion of the MacBook Air lineup, and one of the best year-over-year iPhone upgrades in a long time. This made it a tricky decision to determine.....»»
Study shows diverse gut bacteria communities protect against harmful pathogens by nutrient blocking
The human gut is home to hundreds of different bacterial species collectively known as the gut microbiome. A major health benefit these provide is to protect the gut against invading pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) that could cause harmful.....»»
Researchers, Coast Salish people analyze 160-year-old Indigenous dog pelt
Researchers from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History led a new analysis that sheds light on the ancestry and genetics of woolly dogs, a now extinct breed of dog that was a fixture of Indigenous Coast Salish communities in the Pacific.....»»
Was the Peace River earthquake induced or natural? New study tests frameworks to answer the question
Using questionnaires created to determine whether a particular earthquake is natural or induced by human activity, a panel of experts concluded that the November 2022 magnitude 5.2 Peace River earthquake sequence in Alberta, Canada was likely induced.....»»
Attoscience unveils a light-matter hybrid phase in graphite reminiscent of superconductivity
X-ray absorption spectroscopy is an element-selective and electronic-state sensitive technique that is one of the most widely used analytical techniques to study the composition of materials or substances. Until recently, the method required arduous.....»»