Sociability genes found in some spiders
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Texas Tech University, Cornell University and Australian National University has found similar genes between species of spiders that have some degree of sociability. They have published their p.....»»
Why you shouldn"t be scared of spiders
A school in Gloucestershire, in the west of England, was closed for several days due to an "invasion of poisonous spiders." Experts claimed they were not aggressive, but the school was closed, alarm spread and some media outlets were quick to call th.....»»
Genes in beans: Bean genome sequenced for improved nutrition
The faba bean genome, which at 13 billion bases is more than four times the size of the human genome, has been sequenced for the first time and is published in Nature. This is an extraordinary technical achievement and crucial to efforts to breed bea.....»»
Blocking gene that inhibits root growth may enhance drought resistance in crops
A strong root system allows crops to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, but scientists have little information about the genes that control root development. Recent research published in New Phytologist reveals that blocking a negative regulat.....»»
Wings, not webs: Certain bugs are the winners of urbanization, impacting cities" insect diversity
Cities are bursting with life, both human and animal. The smallest of them—insects, spiders and ants—are easily overlooked, but their presence—or absence—in cities has wide-reaching effects. Scientists in Austria have published a study in Fro.....»»
IPK researchers provide insights into grain number determination mechanism of barley
Modifying inflorescences with higher grain capacity is vital for crop grain production. One recurring target is to select inflorescences with more branches or floral structures. Prominent examples include genes affecting floral identity or meristem d.....»»
New spider genus named after pop band ABBA
Spiders of the family Araneidae are known for building vertical orbicular webs to catch prey. They can be easily identified by their eye pattern, the abdomen normally overlapping the carapace, and complex genitalia. The family currently has 188 gener.....»»
A population-wide gene-environment interaction study on how genes, schools, and residential areas shape achievement
A new study reveals that if you have a child with a high genetic risk of learning difficulties, you should send them to a school that scores high on national tests......»»
Reconstructing the evolutionary history of detoxifying enzymes
Our body produces lots of enzymes that break down toxic substances. One class of such enzymes are the flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), which are present in all tetrapods. Humans have five different FMO genes, of which the first four display t.....»»
Noble false widows: The tiny spiders taking a big bite out of British and Irish wildlife
Over the last two decades, an uninvited guest has made an appearance in and around homes throughout western Europe, including Britain and Ireland, as well as west Asia and the Pacific coast of North and South America......»»
Neighborly cooperation can ensure your genes survive, new research finds
Cooperating with your neighbors, especially if they are distant relatives, can be an effective evolutionary strategy, new research has found......»»
Method for quantifying the spread of bacterial resistance to antibiotics developed
The discovery of antibiotics is one of the greatest advances in medicine, as it has enabled the effective treatment of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria. However, these compounds have been losing effectiveness due to the spread of genes that c.....»»
Using spiders as environmentally-friendly pest control
Groups of spiders could be used as an environmentally-friendly way to protect crops against agricultural pests......»»
7 new spider species discovered in caves in Israel
In a new study conducted by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and University of Madison-Wisconsin, seven new species of funnel web spiders (Agelenidae, Tegenaria), unique to caves in Israel, were discovered. These species join a lar.....»»
RNA"s "joints" play key role in our gene expression, scientists find
University of Chicago scientists have discovered a new wrinkle in our understanding of how our genes work. The team, led by Chuan He, the UChicago John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, shed l.....»»
Computer model IDs roles of individual genes in early embryonic development
Computer software developed at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis can predict what happens to complex gene networks when individual genes are missing or dialed up more than usual. Such genetic networks play key roles in early embry.....»»
Gene cluster reshuffling drives natural sunscreen evolution in lichens
A new study reveals that the evolution of sunscreen pigments in lichen-forming fungi has been governed by the reshuffling of existing enzyme genes and novel accessory genes into new gene clusters......»»
Surprises in sea turtle genes could help them adapt to a rapidly changing world
Around 100 million years ago, a group of land-dwelling turtles took to the oceans, eventually evolving into the sea turtles that we know today. However, the genetic foundations that have enabled them to thrive in oceans throughout the world have rema.....»»
Evolutionary trade-offs: Balancing genetic disease risks and pathogen protection
Certain genes can exist in different, functionally divergent variants in the individuals of a species. If they lead to clear differences, for example in a phenotype or susceptibility to disease, this is known in biology as a polymorphism. Typical exa.....»»
Mating causes "jet lag" in female fruit flies, changing behavior
An innovative technique from Cornell University researchers finds seminal fluid protein transferred from male to female fruit flies during mating changes the expression of genes related to the fly's circadian clock......»»
Movements in proteins reveal information about antibiotic resistance spreading
Researchers at Umeå University have discovered how a certain type of protein moves for DNA to be copied. The discovery could have implications for understanding how antibiotic resistance genes spread between bacteria......»»