New Understandings of Food, Fat, Fitness and Evolution
Quantum observers, migrating mangroves, the deep history of an asteroid and understanding appetite in this issue of Scientific American.....»»
Bats use four key tactics for accurate target tracking
The ability of "target tracking," i.e., keeping a target object in sight, is essential for various activities and has improved in animals and machines through the evolution of life and technology, respectively. Because most sensing systems are inevit.....»»
3D-printed chip sensor detects foodborne pathogens for safer products
Every so often, a food product is recalled because of some sort of contamination. For consumers of such products, a recall can trigger doubt in the safety and reliability of what they eat and drink. In many cases, a recall will come too late to keep.....»»
Hidden mechanisms behind hermaphroditic plant self-incompatibility revealed
A new study presents an evolutionary-biophysical model that sheds new light on the evolution of the collaborative non-self recognition self-incompatibility, a genetic mechanism in plants that prevents self-fertilization and promotes cross-fertilizati.....»»
Astronomers study evolution of a giant outburst in X-ray binary EXO 2030+375
An international team of astronomers has observed an X-ray binary system known as EXO 2030+375. Results of the observation campaign, presented in a research paper published June 18 on the pre-print server arXiv, provide more insights into the evoluti.....»»
New research shows why you don"t need to be perfect to get the job done
When neuroscientists think about the strategy an animal might use to carry out a task—like finding food, hunting prey, or navigating a maze—they often propose a single model that lays out the best way for the animal to accomplish the job......»»
Top FDA official overrules staff to approve gene therapy that failed trial
Peter Marks overruled three teams and two top directors. Enlarge / Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research within the Food and Drug Administration on March 18, 2021 in Washington, DC. (credi.....»»
How a biocatalyst might boost the growth of microalgae
Living organisms consist to a large extent of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) compounds. These have to be taken in with food or, in the case of plants, produced through photosynthesis......»»
Greening the food supply chain: Developing sustainable food systems through interdisciplinary collaboration
Sustainability is a hot topic in just about every field that engages with the environment, including agriculture. An interdisciplinary group of researchers in UConn's College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources has published a paper outlinin.....»»
UK"s rarest rainforest beetles go on multi-day "adventures"
A new study delving into the lives of one of the UK's rarest beetles shows them to be athletes and adventurers—sometimes traveling the scaled-up equivalent of several kilometers a night in search of food and mates......»»
Cleaning up cow burps to combat global warming
New tools for lowering methane emissions from livestock are on their way. Enlarge (credit: Tony C. French/Getty) In the urgent quest for a more sustainable global food system, livestock are a mixed blessing. On the one h.....»»
Research review offers insights for transforming the food sector
We're facing rising food insecurity, the cost-of-living squeeze, and ever-changing climate events. It's no wonder our food systems are in urgent need of a reboot......»»
How glacier algae are challenging the way we think about evolution
People often underestimate tiny beings. But microscopic algal cells not only evolved to thrive in one of the most extreme habitats on Earth—glaciers—but are also shaping them......»»
Hope from an unexpected source in the global race to stop wheat blast
An important breakthrough in efforts to halt the advance of wheat blast, an emerging threat to international food security, has come from a surprising source......»»
Earth"s atmosphere is our best defense against nearby supernovae, study suggests
Earth's protective atmosphere has sheltered life for billions of years, creating a haven where evolution produced complex lifeforms like us. The ozone layer plays a critical role in shielding the biosphere from deadly UV radiation. It blocks 99% of t.....»»
Southern Africa drought crisis demands fresh solutions
Innovative solutions and emergency funding are critical to help the more than 30 million people in Southern Africa affected by drought who now face severe food insecurity and humanitarian challenges, UN agencies and governments warn......»»
watchOS 11 finally lets users change their Apple Watch ringtone
With watchOS 11, users will get a bunch of new features, including health and fitness improvements, Live Activities, the Translate app, and new watch faces. But the watchOS 11 update also comes with another new feature that wasn’t mentioned by App.....»»
Using camelid nanobodies for food allergen surveillance
Food allergies pose significant health risks, affecting millions worldwide, with the prevalence rising over the past decades. Traditional detection methods, such as monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, are often costly, labor-intensive, and prone to.....»»
Researchers reveal influence of cyclic dynamic disturbance on coal-rock evolution and zoning
In coal-rock formations, many micro-fractures exist, and the expansion of these micro-fractures is the internal catalyst for the macroscopic destruction of coal-rock. Moreover, the occurrence state of gas changes with the expansion of micro-fractures.....»»
Searching for a female partner for the world"s "loneliest" plant
"Surely this is the most solitary organism in the world," wrote paleontologist Richard Fortey in his book about the evolution of life......»»
Researchers investigate presence of endangered sea cucumbers for sale in NYC food markets
After surveying food market retailers in three New York City Chinatown districts, Cornell researchers have found genetic evidence that some endangered species of sea cucumbers—considered a pricey but nutritious dried delicacy—are being sold to co.....»»