Primitive fish fossils reveal developmental origins of teeth
Teeth and hard structures called dermal odontodes are evolutionarily related, arising from the same developmental system, a new study published today in eLife shows......»»
Researchers reveal atomic-scale details of catalysts" active sites
The chemical and energy industries depend upon catalysts to drive the reactions used to create their products. Many important reactions use heterogeneous catalysts—meaning that the catalysts are in a different phase of matter than the substances th.....»»
Smallest arm bone in the human fossil record sheds light on the dawn of Homo floresiensis
A paper appearing today in Nature Communications reports the discovery of extremely rare early human fossils from the Indonesian island of Flores, including an astonishingly small adult limb bone......»»
Scientists reveal strategically applied livestock grazing can benefit sagebrush communities
While a cow grazing in a field isn't typically remarkable, United States Department of Agriculture scientists have identified potential ecological benefits of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities across U.S. western rangel.....»»
Study analyzes potato-pathogen "arms race" after Irish potato famine
In an examination of the genetic material found in historic potato leaves, North Carolina State University researchers reveal more about the tit-for-tat evolutionary changes occurring in both potato plants and the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish.....»»
Born to modulate: Researchers reveal origins of climate-controlling particles
Aerosol particles are tiny. Swirling suspended in the air around us, most are smaller than the smallest bug, thinner than the thinnest hair on your head, gossamer specks practically invisible to the naked eye. Newly formed ones are nano-sized. Yet th.....»»
We sure hope this Darksiders teaser is for a proper sequel
THQ Nordic teased a new project in the Darksiders series at the end of its showcase, but it didn't reveal what it could be......»»
Scientists pin down the origins of the moon"s tenuous atmosphere
While the moon lacks any breathable air, it does host a barely-there atmosphere. Since the 1980s, astronomers have observed a very thin layer of atoms bouncing over the moon's surface. This delicate atmosphere—technically known as an "exosphere"—.....»»
Gulf of Mexico "dead zone" larger than average, scientists find
NOAA-supported scientists have announced that this year's Gulf of Mexico "dead zone"—an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and marine life—is approximately 6,705 square miles, the 12th largest zone on record in 38 years of measurement. T.....»»
Researchers demonstrate mechanism that may have stabilized the first RNA molecules
The origins of life remain a major mystery. How were complex molecules able to form and remain intact for prolonged periods without disintegrating? A team at ORIGINS, a Munich-based Cluster of Excellence, has demonstrated a mechanism that could have.....»»
Genetic mutation prompts "deadbeat dad" fish to start raising their offspring
University of Maryland researcher Cheng-Yu Li was in the lab one day when he noticed a fish with a protruding jaw: A telltale sign that it was incubating eggs in its mouth, keeping its offspring safe until they were big enough to swim solo......»»
Scientists reveal transport mechanism of norepinephrine transporter and binding mode of small molecule and peptide drugs
Noradrenaline (NA) is an important monoamine neurotransmitter in the nervous system. The noradrenaline transporter (NET) located on the presynaptic membrane can transport NA into presynaptic neurons......»»
Researchers uncover 500 million-year-old mollusk ancestor
A team of researchers including scientists from the University of Oxford have made an astonishing discovery of a new species of mollusk that lived 500 million years ago. The new fossil, called Shishania aculeata, reveals that the most primitive mollu.....»»
Sea level changes shaped early life on Earth, fossils show
A newly developed timeline of early animal fossils reveals a link between sea levels, changes in marine oxygen, and the appearance of the earliest ancestors of present-day animals......»»
Medieval French diets discovered through isotope analysis reveal social and religious influences
Archaeologists working in the Languedoc region in southern France have used stable isotopes to reveal new insights into medieval dietary practices. The research, published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences by lead author Dr. Jane Holmstr.....»»
"Squishy" lasers could reveal how tumors and babies grow
New "squishy" lasers could help solve the mystery of the biological forces that control the development of embryos and cancerous tumors......»»
New perspectives for using corals in climate research
Ancient ocean temperatures are most commonly reconstructed by analyzing the ratio of different oxygen atoms in the calcium carbonate remains of fossils. However, this presents many challenges, including a combination of biological processes known as.....»»
“AI toothbrushes” are coming for your teeth—and your data
App-connected toothbrushes bring new privacy concerns to the bathroom. Enlarge / Oclean's X Ultra, released in July, has optional Wi-Fi connectivity. (credit: Oclean) One of the most unlikely passengers on the AI gadgets.....»»
Smell reports reveal the need to expand urban air quality monitoring, say researchers
Ever wondered if your neighborhood odor could be impacting your health? University of British Columbia researchers have uncovered surprising insights into the Vancouver region's "smellscape" using data from the Smell Vancouver app. Analyzing 549 repo.....»»
PFAS found in nearly all fish tested from four northern Illinois rivers
Scientists tested nine fish species from four northern Illinois rivers for contamination with per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, synthetic chemicals found in numerous industrial and commercial products and known to be harmful to human health. They f.....»»
Injury dressings in first-aid kits reveal shark species
Scientists have revealed that injury dressings found in first-aid kits can reliably be used to identify shark species involved in bite incidents by deploying medical gauze to gather DNA samples from aquatic equipment, such as surfboards......»»