The genetic underpinnings of plumage for Eurasian white wagtails
For birds, simple does not always equal simple—and that difference can create interesting variations in plumage, according to new findings from University of Colorado Boulder researchers and their colleagues......»»
Genetic database shows some fungal crops became completely reliant on ants 27 million years ago
When humans began farming crops thousands of years ago, agriculture had already been around for millions of years. In fact, several animal lineages have been growing their own food since long before humans evolved as a species......»»
Plants have a backup plan to pass down accurate chromosome copies
Tending a garden is hard work. Imagine it from the plants' perspective. Each relies on fine-tuned genetic processes to pass down accurate copies of chromosomes to future generations. These processes sometimes involve billions of moving parts. Even th.....»»
Decolonizing the curriculum hasn"t closed the gap between Black and white students in the UK: Here"s what might work
Students at UK universities are less likely to get a top degree—a first or 2:1—if they are from an ethnic minority......»»
F&I tip: Create perceived value for auto buyers, Allstate says
Perceived value is one of the key psychological factors influencing the purchase of finance and insurance products, Allstate Dealer Services said in a white paper......»»
Why PFAS-enriched foam is forming on some of the cleanest lakes in the country
A curious phenomenon springs up occasionally on New York's Finger Lakes: white foam, sometimes in miles-long swathes, almost as if a massive washing machine emptied out into the water......»»
Preserving nature"s genetic resources: Wild banana relatives of mainland Southeast Asia reveal hidden diversity
In a new study, researchers have uncovered a wealth of hidden diversity among wild banana species in mainland Southeast Asia. The discovery, which has been published in PLoS ONE, highlights the critical importance of conserving these genetic resource.....»»
Northeastern Europe has only been "stork country" for a few centuries, study reveals
In legends and fables, it brings luck, children and prosperity. Today, its appearance is seen as a sign of a healthy environment. Hardly any other bird in Europe has such positive connotations as the white stork Ciconia ciconia. But how old is this c.....»»
Researchers determine how a protein contributes to human immune defense against RNA viruses
An international research team led by Prof. Dr. Janosch Hennig from the University of Bayreuth has discovered how the TRIM25 protein contributes to defense against RNA viruses whose genetic material is contained as ribonucleic acid (RNA)......»»
Nanopillars create tiny openings in the nucleus without damaging cells
Imagine trying to poke a hole in the yolk of a raw egg without breaking the egg white. It sounds impossible, but researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a technology that performs a similarly delicate task in living cells.....»»
Scientists find plausible geological setting that may have sparked life on Earth
Researchers have discovered a plausible evolutionary setting in which nucleic acids—the fundamental genetic building blocks of life—could enable their own replication, possibly leading to life on Earth......»»
Scientists fear underfunded Argentina research on verge of collapse
Argentine biochemist Alejandro Nadra worries that President Javier Milei's budget cuts will undo his scientific quest to unravel the cause of genetic diseases that disable and kill millions......»»
Breeder who tried to create enormous trophy sheep jailed in US
A man who tried to breed enormous hybrid sheep using genetic material from endangered animals so he could sell them to trophy hunting ranches has been sentenced to six months in prison, the US Department of Justice said Monday......»»
Hunting down giant viruses that attack tiny algae
They were said to come from outer space, and there were even claims that they were actually bacteria and that they undermined the very definition of viruses. Giant viruses, nicknamed "giruses," contain enormous quantities of genetic material—up to.....»»
Why the changing representation of dwarfism in Disney"s live action Snow White remake is so important
The upcoming release of Disney's live action remake of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," currently scheduled for March 2025, has been surrounded by controversy—so much so that the film's trailer has received over 1 million dislikes on YouTube. In.....»»
Scientists use drones to track white sharks along California beaches
The forecast at the beach today is cloudy, with a chance of sharks. At least, that's the forecast that researchers at UC Santa Barbara would like to be able to provide. They're leading a project to predict when and where great white sharks show up ne.....»»
Seal species carries "genetic scars" after being hunted to the edge of extinction, new research reveals
Northern Elephant seals have staged a remarkable comeback after narrowly escaping extinction by hunting, but new research reveals lasting genetic effects in the present population......»»
Ars in San Jose recap: Infrastructure, sustainability, AI, cocktails
We came, we saw, we talked, we schmoozed, we toured the Computer History Museum! Enlarge / Dr. John Timmer, Jeff Ball, Joanna Wong, and Lee Hutchinson discussing infrastructure and the environment. (credit: Kimberly White/Getty I.....»»
Genetic rescue for rare red foxes? Research uncovers options to restore Lassen red fox population
A rescue effort can take many forms—a life raft, a firehose, an airlift. For animals whose populations are in decline from inbreeding, genetics itself can be a lifesaver......»»
Plane contrails: white fluffy contributors to global warming
The white, feathery lines behind airplanes that look like bits of harmless cloud are anything but, warn experts, who say they could have a greater environmental impact than the aviation sector's CO2 emissions......»»
Existence of an Earth-like planet around a dead sun offers hope for our planet"s ultimate survival
The discovery of an Earth-like planet 4,000 light years away in the Milky Way galaxy provides a preview of one possible fate for our planet billions of years in the future, when the sun has turned into a white dwarf, and a blasted and frozen Earth ha.....»»