Mitochondria and the origin of eukaryotes
Were organelles a driving force or late addition in the evolution of cells like ours? Enlarge (credit: NIH) For billions of years after the origin of life, the only living things on Earth were tiny, primitive cells resembling.....»»
Fast radio bursts: Research introduces a novel approach to characterize their behavior
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) represent the most intense radio explosions in the universe. Since the first discovery in 2007, FRBs have garnered significant attention, culminating in the 2023 Shaw Prize in Astronomy. With yet unknown origin, these extreme.....»»
Scientists reconstruct assembly of the human centriole, image by image, for the first time
Cells contain various specialized structures—such as the nucleus, mitochondria or peroxisomes—known as "organelles." Tracing their genesis and determining their structure is fundamental to understanding cell function and the pathologies linked to.....»»
9to5Mac Overtime 014: Zac Hall talks ‘Visioneers’
9to5Mac’s Zac Hall joins Jeff Benjamin in this week’s episode of Overtime to discuss Visioneers, his new Apple Vision Pro podcast, and his origin story with 9to5Mac. more….....»»
Researchers map structure of mitochondria at different life stages
Mitochondria, organelles with an inner and outer membrane, are responsible for creating the energy that cells use to survive, and their morphology is key to accomplishing this task. The inner mitochondrial membrane contains folds, called cristae, tha.....»»
Tiny cracks in rocks may have concentrated chemicals needed for life
The gentle flow of warm fluids could have given pre-life chemistry a boost. Enlarge / Active geology could have helped purify key chemicals needed for life. (credit: Christof B. Mast) In some ways, the origin of life is.....»»
Rocket Report: Blue Origin to resume human flights; progress for Polaris Dawn
"The pacing item in our supply chain is the BE-4." Enlarge / Ed Dwight stands in front of an F-104 jet fighter in 1963. (credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) Welcome to Edition 6.38 of the Rocket Report! Ed Dwight was.....»»
Chinese scientists reveal the spinning mechanism of the silkworm
Mulberry silk is a natural protein fiber that is light, soft and fine in nature, known as the "second skin of the human body" and "Queen of fibers." China is the origin of the world's sericulture industry......»»
NASA sees progress on Blue Origin"s Orbital Reef Life Support System
A NASA-funded commercial space station, Blue Origin's Orbital Reef, recently completed testing milestones for its critical life support system as part of the agency's efforts for new destinations in low Earth orbit......»»
Across oceans and millennia: Decoding the origin and history of the bottle gourd
In a fascinating dive into the past, a team of researchers from the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and USDA has uncovered intriguing details about the origins and spread of the bottle gourd, one of the oldest domesticated crops......»»
Hiring booms at SpaceX and Blue Origin making it hard for NASA to attract talent
SpaceX and Blue Origin LLC are competing to launch satellites and take humans to the moon. They are also paying big salaries to hire so many young and tireless engineers that old-line aerospace employers like Boeing Co. and NASA are finding it harder.....»»
Genetic basis for the evolution of hair discovered in the clawed frog
The development of hair was of central importance for the evolution of mammals and, thus, also of humans. However, the evolutionary origin of the genetic program of hair was previously unknown. An international research team led by Leopold Eckhart fr.....»»
Illuminating a critical step in initiating DNA replication in eukaryotes
Brandt Eichman and Walter Chazin, professors of biochemistry, have worked together to provide a better understanding of how exactly DNA replication is initiated in eukaryotes. Using Vanderbilt's state-of-the-art instrumentation in the Center for Stru.....»»
Research uncovers specific protein interactions needed for cells to break down and remove damaged mitochondria
Autophagy is a process used by cells as a recycling system to transport and break down organelles and other cytosolic components, which become enveloped in a membrane called the autophagosome. When this involves the removal of damaged mitochondria, i.....»»
Why eukaryotes, not bacteria, evolved complex multicellularity
Prokaryotic single-celled organisms, the ancestors of modern-day bacteria and archaea, are the most ancient form of life on our planet, first appearing roughly 3.5 billion years ago. The first eukaryotic cells appeared around 1–1.5 billion years la.....»»
AI for astrophysics: Algorithms help chart the origins of heavy elements
The origin of heavy elements in our universe is theorized to be the result of neutron star collisions, which produce conditions hot and dense enough for free neutrons to merge with atomic nuclei and form new elements in a split-second window of time......»»
Blue Origin is getting serious about developing a human spacecraft
Company seeks: "Experience with human spaceflight or high-performance aircraft systems?" Enlarge / Dave Limp, Blue Origin's new CEO, and founder Jeff Bezos observe the New Glenn rocket on its launch pad Wednesday at Cape Canavera.....»»
Unveiling rare diversity: The origin of heritable mutations in trees
What is the origin of genetic diversity in plants? Can new mutations acquired during growth be passed on to seeds? INRAE scientists, in collaboration with CIRAD and the CNRS, have used the French Guiana forest as the setting for their research, leadi.....»»
Scientists reveal how first cells could have formed on Earth
Roughly 4 billion years ago, Earth was developing conditions suitable for life. Origin-of-life scientists often wonder if the type of chemistry found on the early Earth was similar to what life requires today. They know that spherical collections of.....»»
New measurement captures clearer picture of our galaxy and beyond
With unique capabilities to track microwave energy fluctuations, a small observatory in the Andes mountains of northern Chile produced maps of 75% of the sky as part of an effort to measure the universe's origin and evolution more accurately......»»
Blue Origin’s heavy-lift New Glenn rocket raised on launchpad for first time
Blue Origin’s 320-foot New Glenn rocket has been raised on the launchpad for the first time as part of preparations for its maiden flight later this year......»»