The origin of reproductive organs
Early in human development, during the first trimester of gestation, a fetus may have XX or XY chromosomes that indicate its sex. Yet at this stage a mass of cells known as the bipotential gonad that ultimately develops into either ovaries or testes.....»»
Across oceans and millennia: Decoding the origin and history of the bottle gourd
In a fascinating dive into the past, a team of researchers from the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and USDA has uncovered intriguing details about the origins and spread of the bottle gourd, one of the oldest domesticated crops......»»
Hiring booms at SpaceX and Blue Origin making it hard for NASA to attract talent
SpaceX and Blue Origin LLC are competing to launch satellites and take humans to the moon. They are also paying big salaries to hire so many young and tireless engineers that old-line aerospace employers like Boeing Co. and NASA are finding it harder.....»»
New archive of ancient human brains challenges misconceptions of soft tissue preservation
Soft tissue preservation in the geological record is relatively rare, and except where deliberate intervention halts the process of decay (like embalming or freezing), the survival of entire organs is particularly unusual. The spontaneous preservatio.....»»
Genetic basis for the evolution of hair discovered in the clawed frog
The development of hair was of central importance for the evolution of mammals and, thus, also of humans. However, the evolutionary origin of the genetic program of hair was previously unknown. An international research team led by Leopold Eckhart fr.....»»
AI for astrophysics: Algorithms help chart the origins of heavy elements
The origin of heavy elements in our universe is theorized to be the result of neutron star collisions, which produce conditions hot and dense enough for free neutrons to merge with atomic nuclei and form new elements in a split-second window of time......»»
Transcription factors that regulate development of light organs and bioluminescence in firefly identified
Two bio-researchers, one with Huazhong Agricultural University, the other the Firefly Conservation Research Center, both in China, have identified the key transcription factors that regulate the development of light organs and bioluminescence in the.....»»
How did evolution produce a firefly?
A new study looks at the development of a firefly's light-emitting organs. Enlarge (credit: Xinhua Fu) On one level, we have fireflies figured out. We know the enzyme they use to make light (called luciferase), as well a.....»»
Blue Origin is getting serious about developing a human spacecraft
Company seeks: "Experience with human spaceflight or high-performance aircraft systems?" Enlarge / Dave Limp, Blue Origin's new CEO, and founder Jeff Bezos observe the New Glenn rocket on its launch pad Wednesday at Cape Canavera.....»»
Unveiling rare diversity: The origin of heritable mutations in trees
What is the origin of genetic diversity in plants? Can new mutations acquired during growth be passed on to seeds? INRAE scientists, in collaboration with CIRAD and the CNRS, have used the French Guiana forest as the setting for their research, leadi.....»»
Research team reveals cellular and molecular basis of spur development in Impatiens uliginosa
As an important reproductive organ of angiosperms, flowers have a clear purpose and adaptive significance in their various characteristics. As a typical floral evolutionary feature, the floral spur is a tubular structure extending from the petal, whi.....»»
Scientists reveal how first cells could have formed on Earth
Roughly 4 billion years ago, Earth was developing conditions suitable for life. Origin-of-life scientists often wonder if the type of chemistry found on the early Earth was similar to what life requires today. They know that spherical collections of.....»»
Female olfactory cues hasten mortality and reproductive aging, mouse study finds
Sensory cues from the opposite sex can influence how animals age, a University of Otago-led study has found......»»
Research finds geochemical landscape drives musk oxen reproductive success
Researchers have studied Greenland musk oxen that have been followed for 25 years to see how their feeding habits affect their reproductive success. And it turns out that when they go to areas with more copper and selenium in the ground, they have mo.....»»
New measurement captures clearer picture of our galaxy and beyond
With unique capabilities to track microwave energy fluctuations, a small observatory in the Andes mountains of northern Chile produced maps of 75% of the sky as part of an effort to measure the universe's origin and evolution more accurately......»»
Using CRISPR gene editing to prevent pigs from getting blue-ear pig disease
A team of bio-scientists affiliated with a host of institutions across the U.S. has developed a gene editing technique to produce newborn pigs immune to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, also known as blue-ear pig disease. The paper is p.....»»
Blue Origin’s heavy-lift New Glenn rocket raised on launchpad for first time
Blue Origin’s 320-foot New Glenn rocket has been raised on the launchpad for the first time as part of preparations for its maiden flight later this year......»»
Jeff Bezos’ New Glenn rocket finally makes an appearance on the launch pad
Blue Origin plans a tanking test at Cape Canaveral, then a hotfire on the launch pad. Enlarge / Dave Limp, Blue Origin's new CEO, and founder Jeff Bezos observe the New Glenn rocket on its launch pad Wednesday at Cape Canaveral S.....»»
Live imaging reveals key cell dynamics in 3D organ formation in Drosophila
Animal development requires successive changes in cell and tissue structures. To form complex 3D organs, cell shapes must adapt to support tissue morphogenesis. However, our understanding of how cellular structure changes are coupled with dynamic tis.....»»
Examining the relationship of reproductive health and economics
Access to reproductive health care—and abortion in particular—is an issue that resonates with voters' deeply held personal beliefs and reflects their underlying moral, philosophical, and religious views. But is it also an economic issue?.....»»
Compound vital for all life likely played a role in life"s origin, suggests synthesis study
A chemical compound essential to all living things has been synthesized in a lab in conditions that could have occurred on early Earth, suggesting it played a role at the outset of life, finds a new study led by University College London researchers......»»