Nature"s checkup: Surveying biodiversity with environmental DNA sequencing
A thousand kilometers south of Tokyo, far into the largest ocean on Earth, lies a chain of small, volcanic islands—the Ogasawara Islands. Nature has been able to develop on its own terms here, far from both humans and the warm Kuroshio current, whi.....»»
Protein USP50 identified as key in DNA replication balance
A protein that is involved in determining which enzymes cut or unwind DNA during the replication process has been identified in a new study......»»
Expansion in situ genome sequencing innovation makes hidden DNA-protein interactions visible
Harvard scientists have unveiled a new technique called expansion in situ genome sequencing (ExIGS) that combines existing in situ genome sequencing (IGS) with expansion microscopy (ExM). The innovation allowed researchers to link nucleus abnormaliti.....»»
Adaptability of trees persists after millions of years of climate change, finds study
Seven of the most common forest trees in Europe have been shown to be able to shelter their genetic diversity from major shifts in environmental conditions. This is despite their ranges having shrunk and the number of trees having fallen sharply duri.....»»
How to make biodiversity credits work: Science-based solutions for real conservation gains
Biodiversity is in crisis. Human activities are driving species extinctions at unprecedented rates, but funding for conservation remains woefully inadequate. To address this gap, the concept of a Biodiversity Credit Market (BCM) has emerged, inspired.....»»
Quantum computing and photonics discovery potentially shrinks critical parts by 1,000 times
Researchers have made a discovery that could make quantum computing more compact, potentially shrinking essential components 1,000 times while also requiring less equipment. The research is published in Nature Photonics......»»
Scientists develop a new method to study gene function in cells and tissue
The Gaublomme lab has developed a new optical pooled screening approach called CRISPRmap, which enables the coupling of optical properties of single cells to targeted genetic perturbations. Optical phenotypes are typically inaccessible for sequencing.....»»
Humanity"s future depends on our ability to live in harmony with nature
The world is facing multiple—potentially catastrophic—crises, including inequality, poverty, food insecurity, climate change and biodiversity loss. These issues are interconnected and require systemic solutions, as changes in one system affects o.....»»
Mars analog stations investigate lichen biodiversity during simulated missions
Once you know where to look for them, lichens are everywhere. These composite organisms—fungal and photosynthetic partners joined into a greater whole—can survive on a vast array of surfaces, from rocks and trees to bare ground and buildings. The.....»»
Chemists develop chiral DNA catalysts for asymmetric catalysis
Chemists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a way to make diverse chiral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) catalysts by merging DNA repair with biorthogonal chemistry, paving the way for more efficient and versatile approaches t.....»»
Hidden in the teeth: DNA study finds these 19th century lions preyed on humans and giraffes
In 1898, two male lions terrorized an encampment of bridge builders on the Tsavo River in Kenya. The lions, which were massive and maneless, crept into the camp at night, raided the tents and dragged off their victims. The infamous Tsavo "man-eaters".....»»
"Widespread noncompliance and poor performance" in world"s largest nature-based carbon removal projects
One of the largest types of carbon offset projects the Australian government is using to meet climate change targets and reduce carbon in the atmosphere is failing to do so, new research has shown. The findings are published in The Rangeland Journal......»»
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.....»»
Wildlife loss is taking ecosystems nearer to collapse, new report suggests
Even for a conservation biologist numbed to bad news about nature, the biennial Living Planet report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a stark reminder of our failure to arrest the loss of biodiversity—the variety of living things and the ecosy.....»»
DORA regulation’s nuts and bolts
The frequency, sophistication, and impact of cyber-attacks on financial institutions have been rising. Given the economic system’s interconnected nature, disruptions in one institution can have cascading effects on the broader financial market,.....»»
Biased metrics threaten climate investment where it"s needed most, researchers warn
In a new article published by Nature, experts from the Sustainable Finance Hub say that, although low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face the most threat from climate change, their ability to respond and adapt to its effects is threatened by a.....»»
A look into "mirror molecules" may lead to new medicines
A University of Texas at Dallas chemist and his colleagues have developed a new chemical reaction that will allow researchers to synthesize selectively the left-handed or right-handed versions of "mirror molecules" found in nature and assess them for.....»»
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.....»»
Uncrackable: Scorpions and sponges inspire sustainable design
Humans are by no means alone in the search for more sustainable materials. Nature, too, has been "working" on the problem of sustainability, and it's been at it for a great deal longer. Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science show how design.....»»
Measures to restore biodiversity in peatlands fall short, study finds
Research by ecologist Tom Heuts of Radboud University shows that several experimental measures taken at Frisian farms to restore biodiversity in former peatlands were unsuccessful. Three methods in which the water levels were raised did not have the.....»»
AI-driven approach challenges traditional views on protein structure
In a recently published article in Nature Communications,, a team offers an AI-driven approach to explore structural similarities and relationships across the protein universe. The team includes members from the University of Virginia—including Phi.....»»