Jellyfish and flies use the same hormone when they’ve had enough to eat
The regulation of hunger may go back to the base of the animal family tree. Enlarge / A Moon jellyfish. (credit: Dan Kitwood / Getty Images) The sensation of hunger seems pretty simple on the surface, but behind the sce.....»»
Unlocked enzyme structure shows how strigolactone hormone controls plant growth
As sessile organisms, plants have to continually adapt their growth and architecture to the ever-changing environment. To do so, plants have evolved distinct molecular mechanisms to sense and respond to the environment and integrate the signals from.....»»
Cortisol in shelter dog hair shows signs of stress
Despite the good care, a shelter can be a stressful environment for dogs. Researchers at Utrecht University investigated if the amount of the hormone cortisol in hair indicates the levels of stress that dogs experience before, during and after their.....»»
Bioengineers visualize timing and location of fat storage in fruit flies
For the first time, researchers have visually monitored, in high resolution, the timing and location of fat storage within the intact cells of fruit flies. The new optical imaging tool from the lab of bioengineering professor Lingyan Shi at the Unive.....»»
Kisspeptin: A new drug to treat liver disease?
A hormone that triggers puberty and controls fertility in humans might be developed as a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, according to new research......»»
The mechanism of trichome formation in response to stress-induced jasmonic acid signaling in tomatoes
As a plant stress hormone, jasmonic acid (JA) plays an important role in mediating the resistance of plants against mechanical stress, pest attack, and pathogenic infection. The biosynthesis of JA and the expression of JA signaling genes are activa.....»»
"Love hormone" oxytocin turns fierce lions into kittens
Here kitty kitty........»»
Fruit flies adapt activity to "white nights"
Evolution takes place constantly, everywhere in nature. Nevertheless, it is always exciting for biologists to observe evolution "in real time." One such opportunity for observation is currently being presented by the internal clock—the innate sleep.....»»
Study shows widespread physical and genomic adaptation to environment can occur within weeks
Think evolution is a slow, gradual process? Tell that to fruit flies. In a new report in Science, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania used a controlled field experiment to show that flies rapidly adapted to shifting environmental conditio.....»»
Surprise findings suggest mosquito odor sensors are sensitive to molecular regulation to avoid insect repellants
In what they call surprise findings, Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists report that unlike those in fruit flies, mosquitoes' odor sensing nerve cells shut down when those cells are forced to produce odor-related proteins, or receptors, on the surface.....»»
Parental sugar intake has profound effects on offspring health in fruit flies
A new study led by Monash University biologists has challenged the traditional thinking around parental sugar intake and offspring fitness with some unexpected results......»»
Exploring flow transport in egg cells
Northwestern Medicine scientists discovered a new and unique transport mechanism within developing egg cells in fruit flies, according to a study published in eLife......»»
International team creates first complete fruit fly cell atlas
An international research team has completed an atlas of every cell found in adult fruit flies, one of the most important animal models in science and medicine......»»
All the best sex toys for women
If Instagram is to be believed, then self care for women basically amounts to face masks and daily affirmation apps. Hot take: Sex toys are the ultimate self-care purchase.Orgasms release oxytocin, the anti-stress hormone that gets you warm and fuzzy.....»»
Moon jellies appear to be gobbling up zooplankton in Puget Sound
Swarms of jellies have been seen more frequently in Puget Sound over the past several decades, and some biologists speculate these fast-growing jellyfish will do especially well in the warmer oceans of the future......»»
Chemists find the surprisingly simple way mammals keep their bloodstream in balance
We tend to think of the human body as operating out of a sense-and-respond paradigm. For example, you eat sugar, the pancreas senses the intake, and it responds by releasing the hormone insulin to keep the body's glucose levels in check......»»
While some insects are declining, others might be thriving
Observations of abundance changes in one group of insects—for example grasshoppers—say very little about how other types of insects, such as flies, are doing, even in the same place. This is because different groups of insects may show similar tr.....»»
Time and beauty reveal the physics of human perceptions
Adrian Bejan, the J.A. Jones Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Duke University, has published a new book titled "Time and Beauty: Why Time Flies and Beauty Never Dies." This is Bejan's fourth book written for a general audience tha.....»»
Temperature and reproduction link holds promise for insect control
Scientists have uncovered a set of neurons in fruit flies that shut down in cold temperatures and slow reproduction, a system conserved in many insects, including mosquitoes, which could provide a target for pest control......»»
Roboticists can learn a lot from robber flies about intercepting targets mid-flight
These aerodynamic acrobats employ two-pronged navigation strategy to catch their prey. Enlarge / A miniature predatory robber fly (Holcocephala fascia) feeds on a captured rove beetle. A new study reveals that the fly approaches its pr.....»»
The robber fly is an aerodynamic acrobat that can catch its prey in midflight
Roboticists can learn a lot about avoiding obstacles while pursuing a target from the flies. Enlarge / A miniature predatory robber fly (Holcocephala fascia) feeds on a captured rove beetle. A new study reveals that the fly approaches.....»»