Sperm swimming is caused by the same patterns that are believed to dictate zebra stripes
Patterns of chemical interactions are thought to create patterns in nature such as stripes and spots. A new study shows that the mathematical basis of these patterns also governs how sperm tail moves......»»
Studies on pigeon-guided missiles, swimming abilities of dead fish among Ig Nobles winners
A study that explores the feasibility of using pigeons to guide missiles and one that looks at the swimming abilities of dead fish were among the winners Thursday of this year's Ig Nobels, the prize for comical scientific achievement......»»
Researchers aim to control gene expression by studying the memories of cells
Communication between cells is now believed to activate a memory mechanism that sustains gene expression, a finding based on the work of Dr. Gregory Reeves......»»
New research reveals how El Niño caused the greatest ever mass extinction
Mega ocean warming El Niño events were key in driving the largest extinction of life on planet Earth some 252 million years ago, according to new research......»»
DNA demethylation boosts tomato resistance to gray mold, study finds
Postharvest decay in fruits, primarily caused by pathogenic fungi, remains a major obstacle to agricultural sustainability and food security. Despite advances in fungicides and storage technologies, losses remain substantial, especially in developing.....»»
Overcoming magnetic disorder: Toward low-energy topological electronics
Overcoming magnetic disorder is key to exploiting the unique properties of quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) insulators. A Monash-led team has demonstrated that the breakdown in topological protection is caused by magnetic disorder, explaining previous ob.....»»
Surprising hormone-related gene activity discovered in the early larval stage of the Malabar grouper
Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)'s Marine Climate Change Unit and Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit have highlighted patterns of gene activation during Malabar grouper larval development, revealing an unusual early peak of.....»»
Unlocking plant defense: Bacterial hijacking exposed
Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum poses a severe threat to agriculture worldwide, affecting numerous crops. The pathogen's arsenal of type III effectors (T3Es) enables it to manipulate host defense mechanisms, aiding infection. One majo.....»»
Unraveling the fundamental principles of eutectic solidification with real-time, nanoscale imaging
During eutectic solidification, a mixture of two or more solids self-assemble, forming composite microstructures ranging from ordered layers to intricate maze-like patterns that underlie properties like tensile strength or ductility......»»
Uncovering microplastic dynamics and patterns in coastal habitats
Microplastics have raised concerns among scientists and the public in recent years due to their widespread presence and associated health risks. They have been found in every corner of the planet, from mountain peaks to the deep sea, and in the diets.....»»
Making sense of crime scene DNA patterns
Piecing together the evidence to accurately replicate the movements of a culprit at a crime scene is becoming a more exact science, with new investigations by Flinders University and other experts on various DNA transfer scenarios......»»
Did lawmakers know role of fossil fuels in climate change during Clean Air Act era?
How much was known at the mid-20th century about the dangers of human-caused climate change? A lot more than most Americans think......»»
Insurance companies sue Honda, N.Y. dealership to recoup payout from Pilot fire
Three insurance companies are suing American Honda Motor and a New York dealership to recoup more than $1 million they paid for damages caused when a service customer's parked vehicle caught fire......»»
Algorithm maps protein degradation patterns to improve infection diagnosis and treatment
Peptides are small fragments of proteins, mainly found in the skin and mucous membranes. Some peptides act as a barrier, protecting the body against infections by fighting off microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, while others p.....»»
Unraveling the evolutionary secrets of how whales and dolphins adapted their backbones for aquatic life
If you've ever seen a dolphin swim, you may have wondered why they undulate their bodies up and down when swimming, instead of side to side as fishes do. Though they have a fishlike body, cetaceans (a group comprised of whales, dolphins, and porpoise.....»»
Replacement crop treatment not safe for important pollinator, experts say
A novel pesticide thought to be a potential successor to banned neonicotinoids caused 100% mortality in mason bees in a recent test. The novel pesticide, flupyradifurone, is thought to pose less risk to pollinators and, consequently, has been license.....»»
Cats play fetch more often than previously believed, though still less than dogs
About 4 in 10 cats and nearly 8 in 10 dogs like to play fetch, especially males. Although more common in dogs, 4 in 10 pet cats also choose to play fetch with their owners. Credit: Mikel M. Delgado/CC-BY 4.0.....»»
Why do typhoons like to cluster? Researchers identify key weather patterns
This August, Japan and South Korea, particularly Japan, have experienced a dramatic surge in typhoon activity. From August 8 to August 13, within just six days, Typhoons Maria, Son-Tinh, Ampil, and Wukong consecutively formed over the waters east of.....»»
Ski Resorts Are Stockpiling Snow to Get Through Warm Winters
Under protective coverings, piles of snow can be stored for a surprisingly long time, allowing ski resorts to mitigate some of the lack of snowfall caused by climate change......»»
Gravitational wave observatories could detect primordial black holes speeding through the solar system
Cosmologists have long hypothesized that the conditions of the early universe could have caused the formation of black holes not long after the Big Bang. These "primordial black holes" have a much wider mass range than those that formed in the later.....»»
Weakening Shanshan rains still disrupting transport in Japan
A powerful typhoon now downgraded to a tropical storm was still disrupting flights and trains in Japan Saturday, with authorities warning of possible landslides caused by heavy rain......»»