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.....»»
Small aggregates function as temporary RNA repositories, regulated by neural activity
Cells constantly have to adapt the level of activity of certain genes to specific requirements. This applies particularly to neurons, where synapses have to be repeatedly re-formed, re-wired, and restructured. For these processes—without which lear.....»»
Study reveals evidence that bacteria can live in snake and spider venoms
Newly published research led by Northumbria University shows that, contrary to what is commonly believed, the venom of snakes and spiders is actually populated with microbes, including bacteria that could cause infection in people who have suffered a.....»»
The Online Spider Market Is Massive -- and Crawling With Issues
An anonymous reader shares an excerpt from a report via Wired: Spiders and scorpions may seem like creatures that need to be crushed rather than conserved, but wildlife experts say a growing global pet trade is putting wild populations at risk, even.....»»
Fly researchers find another layer hiding in the code of life
A new examination of the way different tissues read information from genes has discovered that the brain and testes appear to be extraordinarily open to the use of many different kinds of code to produce a given protein......»»
Team develops automated platform for plasmid production
Plasmids have extensive use in basic and applied biology. These small, circular DNA molecules are used by scientists to introduce new genes into a target organism. Well known for their applications in the production of therapeutic proteins like insul.....»»
New insights on link between genetic mutations and biological evolution
In biological evolution, we know that it's all about the survival of the fittest: organisms that develop genetic traits that allow them to better adapt to their physical environment are more likely to thrive, and thus pass down their winning genes to.....»»
Ex-eBay Exec Pleads Guilty To Terrorizing Couple With Spiders, Funeral Wreaths
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: A former eBay executive pleaded guilty on Thursday to participating in a scheme to terrorize the creators of an online newsletter that included the delivery of live spiders and other disturbing i.....»»
Study of zebrafish ovaries reveals new structure vital for normal egg development
It is humbling to realize that we humans share about 70% of our genes with zebrafish. There are also a whole host of other similarities that make these small transparent fish an ideal animal model for the study of many human diseases and biological p.....»»
Massive single-cell atlas across human tissues highlights cell types where disease genes are active
Genetic studies have revealed many genes linked to both common and rare disease, but to understand how those genes bring about disease and use those insights to help develop therapies, scientists need to know where they are active in the body. Resear.....»»
Bacteria with recording function capture gut health status
Researchers from ETH Zurich, University Hospital of Bern and the University of Bern have equipped gut bacteria with data logger functionality as a way of monitoring which genes are active in the bacteria. These microorganisms could one day offer a no.....»»
"Tabula sapiens" multi-organ cell atlas already yielding surprises for biologists
With rare exceptions, each of the trillions of cells in our bodies carries an exact duplicate of the human genome, which contains between 20,000 and 25,000 protein-coding genes. But to carry out the specialized functions that make life possible, orga.....»»
Inside the mind of a spider
For a creature that—legs and all—might be no larger than a pencil eraser, spiders continue to surprise researchers with their cognitive abilities......»»
How a gene mutation leads to higher intelligence
When genes mutate, this can lead to severe diseases of the human nervous system. Researchers at Leipzig University and the University of Würzburg have now used fruit flies to demonstrate how, apart from the negative effect, the mutation of a neurona.....»»
Sleep neuron activity boosts protective gene expression and safeguards survival
Sleep refreshes the brain and the body by inducing protective changes in gene expression. Sleep disturbance triggers a stress response that also turns on protective genes. It was unclear how sleep or sleep deprivation can lead to these changes in gen.....»»
Researchers develop new evolutionary approach for identifying proteins that functionally interact
Jacob Steenwyk, a graduate student in biological sciences, and collaborators at Vanderbilt, Tel Aviv University and University of Wisconsin-Madison measured the coevolution of pairs of genes shared across budding yeasts to identify the genes that par.....»»
Gene expression in the nervous system: Researchers discover a mechanism for its targeted stimulation
Genes are the carriers of our genetic information. They are read in our cells and used to produce ribonucleic acids (RNAs). During this process, termed transcription, the enzyme RNA polymerase II has a decisive influence on the exact time at which ge.....»»
Deadly Venom From Spiders and Snakes May Cure What Ails You
Efforts to tease apart the vast swarm of proteins in venom -- a field called venomics -- have burgeoned in recent years, leading to important drug discoveries. From a report: In a small room in a building at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the inve.....»»
Researchers develop VR headset with mouth haptics
Researchers have developed a way to feel various sensations on your mouth, such as spiders crawling across or water droplets......»»
Biologists investigate what happens when traits jump between branches of the tree of life
We all must play the game of life with the cards we're dealt, so the common aphorism goes. In biology, this means organisms must compete through natural selection with the genes and anatomy they were born with......»»
Gotta bounce: Some spiders catapult away after sex to avoid death
Sometimes there are pretty valid reasons for leaving right after sex......»»