One way genetic mutations occur during formation of eggs and sperm
Investigators have employed mutant mice to study how the accumulation of genetic errors is managed during egg and sperm formation......»»
Researchers reveal impact of brassinosteroid and sugar signal on wheat grain size regulation
Grain size plays a central role in determining wheat yield, and precise regulation of grain development has emerged as a key strategy for increasing yields in several staple crops such as rice and maize. However, the genetic basis and potential molec.....»»
Gravitational waves may have made human life possible
Could it be that human existence depends on gravitational waves? Some key elements in our biological makeup may come from astrophysical events that occur because gravitational waves exist, a research team headed by John R. Ellis of Kings College Lond.....»»
Memories of mitosis: Molecular mechanism that detects defects during cell division could aid cancer treatment
Every day, our cells are hard at work multiplying. Cell division is a precise process, but sometimes this process is impaired and diseases like cancer occur. Mitosis is one of the most important phases in the cell cycle. During this phase, a cell's D.....»»
In a distant stellar system, the JWST sees the end of planet formation
Every time a star forms, it represents an explosion of possibilities. Not for the star itself; its fate is governed by its mass. The possibilities it signifies are in the planets that form around it. Will some be rocky? Will they be in the habitable.....»»
Genetic secrets from 4,000-year-old teeth illuminate the impact of changing human diets over the centuries
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have recovered remarkably preserved microbiomes from two teeth dating back 4,000 years, found in an Irish limestone cave. Genetic analyses of these microbiomes reveal major changes in the oral microenvironment fr.....»»
New genetic analysis tool tracks risks tied to CRISPR edits
Since its breakthrough development more than a decade ago, CRISPR has revolutionized DNA editing across a broad range of fields. Now scientists are applying the technology's immense potential to human health and disease, targeting new therapies for a.....»»
Using suction cups inspired by fish to listen in on whale conversations
In their ambitious goal to understand and ultimately communicate with sperm whales, research scientists from Project CETI have enlisted the help of unlikely collaborators—clingfish......»»
Wrappers delight: The Easter egg equation you never knew you needed
This Easter season, as you tear open those chocolate eggs, have you ever wondered why they're snugly wrapped in foil? Turns out the answer lies within the easter egg equation......»»
Moths big and small are vanishing from southern US cities
Insects of all stripes are in the midst of a vanishing act, a catastrophic sleight-of-hand occurring so rapidly that scientists can't keep up. Things get even trickier when you consider that insects have a complex life cycle with eggs, larvae, pupae.....»»
How many zebrafish constitute a school? "Three," say physicists
Physicists are also interested in fish—above all when they are researching the formation of structures. A research team from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and the University of Bristol (United Kingdom) has examined the schooling behav.....»»
A lunar eclipse is coming Sunday: Will Colorado be able to see it?
A penumbral lunar eclipse will occur Sunday night—assuming the sky is clear—and could be of some interest to Colorado skygazers......»»
Persian plateau unveiled as crucial hub for early human migration out of Africa
A new study combining genetic, paleoecological, and archaeological evidence has unveiled the Persian Plateau as a pivotal geographic location serving as a hub for Homo sapiens during the early stages of their migration out of Africa......»»
How flowers maintain water balance across different angiosperm branches
Flowers play an essential role in maintaining a species' genetic stability. Understanding how flowers regulate water use strategies to adapt to their environment is crucial for better understanding floral evolution and plant-pollinator-environment in.....»»
Decoding the shared genetic toolkit for male sex determination
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen have broken new ground by demonstrating that an HMG-box gene in brown algae is crucial for determining male sex. This breakthrough significantly expands our understanding of sex-determin.....»»
Messenger RNAs with multiple "tails" could lead to more effective therapeutics, say researchers
Messenger RNA (mRNA) made its big leap into the public limelight during the pandemic, thanks to its cornerstone role in several COVID-19 vaccines. But mRNAs, which are genetic sequences that instruct the body to produce proteins, are also being devel.....»»
Q&A: Clarifying the megathrust earthquake mechanism
There is a 70-80% chance that the Nankai Trough Megathrust Earthquake will occur in the next 30 years. It is predicted to cause more extensive damage than the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and fatalities may exceed 320,000......»»
Seven billion newly hatched chicks are killed every year—but a ban is not the solution, says study
With Easter just around the corner, we are surrounded by a ubiquity of eggs and adorable yellow chicks that symbolize life and resurrection. In stark contrast is the fact that around seven billion male layer chicks, are shredded or gassed alive by th.....»»
Unveiling the formation of the first galaxies
Utilizing high-resolution three-dimensional radiation hydrodynamics simulations and a detailed supernova physics model run on supercomputers, a research team led by Dr. Ke-Jung Chen from the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Academia Sinica (A.....»»
Lifesaving gene therapy for kids is world’s priciest drug at $4.25M
It's unclear if government and private insurance plans can cover the costs. Enlarge / A mother with her twin 6-year-old boys who have metachromatic leukodystrophy, a genetic disease that leaves them unable to move. Photo taken on.....»»
Analytic tool rapidly reveals genetic diversity for next-generation crop breeding
In a major advance for agricultural science, researchers have developed a new computational tool designed to swiftly and efficiently expose genetic diversity within DNA databases of various plant species......»»