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.....»»
Do spiders sleep? Study suggests they may snooze like humans
It's a question that keeps some scientists awake at night: Do spiders sleep?.....»»
Jumping spiders may experience something like REM sleep
If it's an analog of mammalian REM sleep, then it evolved very early. Enlarge / This little guy looks too perky to need a nap. (credit: Tony Liu) Our sleep is marked by cycles of distinct brain activity. The most well-known of.....»»
These baboons borrowed a third of their genes from their cousins
New genetic analyses of wild baboons in southern Kenya reveals that most of them carry traces of hybridization in their DNA. As a result of interbreeding, about a third of their genetic makeup consists of genes from another, closely-related species......»»
Ziggy Stardust and the 54 Spiders: New spider genus named after David Bowie
Senckenberg arachnologist Dr. Peter Jäger named a new genus from the wandering spider family in honor of the late pop musician David Bowie—on the occasion of the music legend's 75th birthday. Within the genus Bowie gen. nov. originating in Asia, h.....»»
See scientists transform dead spiders into creepy reanimated robots
If you thought that science couldn’t go too far, you may change your mind soon. A group of researchers at Rice University in Texas are pioneering a new field called “necrobotics.” The show’s star is a dead spider brought back to life usin.....»»
Researchers edit genes to prevent, treat COVID-19 in the lab. Will it work in people?
Duke researchers have developed a way to use gene-editing to prevent and treat COVID-19 in mice, which they believe holds promise for people......»»
Taste sensors keep proteins in order in flies
A set of genes that promote sweet taste sensation is also crucial for protein management during fly development, according to a new study by Eugenia Piddini of the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, and colleagues, publishing July 21st in PLOS Bi.....»»
Uncharted genetic territory offers insight into human-specific proteins
When researchers working on the Human Genome Project completely mapped the genetic blueprint of humans in 2001, they were surprised to find only around 20,000 genes that produce proteins. Could it be that humans have only about twice as many genes as.....»»
Hidden genes may be tapped for new antibiotics
Silents are potentially golden in the search for antibiotics to slow the ongoing crisis of resistance in the treatment of disease......»»
500-million-year-old fossilized brains of Stanleycaris prompt a rethink of the evolution of insects and spiders
Royal Ontario Museum revealed new research based on a cache of fossils that contains the brain and nervous system of a half-billion-year-old marine predator from the Burgess Shale called Stanleycaris. Stanleycaris belonged to an ancient, extinct offs.....»»
New method for developing Pichia pastoris yeast strains with high productivity of useful proteins
A collaboration including researchers from Kobe University, University of Tokyo and Tohoku University has successfully identified and disrupted genes in the yeast Pichia pastoris in order to increase its secretory production of useful proteins. Throu.....»»
Scientists discover key genes behind insect migrations
Scientists have identified more than 1,500 genetic differences between migratory and non-migratory hoverflies......»»
Long hop from Nicaragua to US for frogs and spiders sold as "pets"
With great care, Yesenia Talavera transfers a tiny frog from a plant, where it was sleeping, to a plastic container with breathing holes, a moist sponge, and some room to jump......»»
Case solved: Researchers show how the poison nut tree forms strychnine
A research team at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena disclosed the complete biosynthetic pathway for the formation of strychnine in the plant species Strychnos nux-vomica (poison nut). The researchers identified all genes involved.....»»
Researchers seek genes responsible for good eyesight
Many people suffer from eye diseases that can lead to blindness in the worst cases. Eye-related diseases including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are well described; nevertheless, the underlying causative genes are frequently unknown. A.....»»
Researchers use AI to detect new family of genes in gut bacteria
Using artificial intelligence, UT Southwestern researchers have discovered a new family of sensing genes in enteric bacteria that are linked by structure and probably function, but not genetic sequence. The findings, published in PNAS, offer a new wa.....»»
New method boosts the study of regulation of gene activity
One way cells can control the activities of their genes is by adding small chemical modifications to the DNA that determine which genes are turned on or off. Methyl groups are one of these chemical modifications or tags. Researchers have found that i.....»»
A closer look into the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bioaerosols
Bioaerosols, or airborne biological particles containing viruses, fungal spores, bacteria, and pollen, play a key role in public health. Antibiotic resistance (AR), caused by antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), could potentially cause global public h.....»»
Scientists engineer synthetic DNA to study "architect" genes
Researchers at New York University have created artificial Hox genes—which plan and direct where cells go to develop tissues or organs—using new synthetic DNA technology and genomic engineering in stem cells......»»
Red wolf genes found in coyote hybrids may be the key to preserving the endangered species
A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. reports a high percentage of red wolf genes in the genomes of coyote hybrids living in some parts of southwest Louisiana and eastern Texas. In their paper published in the journal.....»»