Unveiling the mysteries of cell division in embryos with timelapse photography
The beginning of life is shrouded in mystery. While the intricate dynamics of mitosis are well-studied in the so-called somatic cells—the cells that have a specialized function, like skin and muscle cells—they remain elusive in the first cells of.....»»
Centromeres could be "hotspots" for evolutionary innovation
New research reveals that centromeres, which are responsible for proper cell division, can rapidly reorganize over short time scales. Biologists at the University of Rochester are calling a discovery they made in a mysterious region of the chromosome.....»»
NASA astronaut Don Pettit talks photography from the space station
NASA astronaut Don Pettit is an exceptional space photographer, and he's just been talking about his work......»»
Autonomous imaging robot can assess embryos" response to environmental change
Scientists have used 3D-printed components to create a robotic instrument that can autonomously monitor the earliest stages of development in any aquatic species. The LabEmbryoCam has been created over the past decade by biologists and technologists.....»»
Computer modeling shows close encounters between distant DNA regions cause bursts of gene activity
Researchers at Kyushu University have revealed how spatial distance between specific regions of DNA is linked to bursts of gene activity. Using advanced cell imaging techniques and computer modeling, the researchers showed that the folding and moveme.....»»
Citizen scientist data help uncover the mysteries of a blue low-latitude aurora
Colorful auroras appeared around Japan's Honshu and Hokkaido islands on May 11, 2024, sparked by an intense magnetic storm. Usually, auroras observed at low latitudes appear red due to the emission of oxygen atoms. But on this day, a salmon pink auro.....»»
Researchers crack the code of how fish embryos actively control their hatch timing
Dr. Matan Golan of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Agricultural Research Organization—Volcani Institute led a team of researchers who uncovered how fish embryos determine the ideal moment to hatch......»»
Scientists develop ultrasound-based technique as a tool for directing cell growth and orientation
Developing reliable methods to replace dead or damaged tissue is one of the primary goals of regenerative medicine. With steady advances in tissue engineering and biomedicine, scientists are almost at a point where growing cell sheets in the lab and.....»»
A key transcription factor unlocks new potential in stem cell-based embryo models
Researchers from the A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) have identified Nr1h2, a critical transcription factor essential for early embryo development. Published in Nature Communications, their findings enhance our understanding of.....»»
Discovery of molecular switch explains how bacteria control their protein biosynthesis through cell metabolism
Protein biosynthesis—the process whereby cells produce protein molecules, which are essential for life and growth—is a highly complex and strictly regulated affair. An interdisciplinary team led by LMU biologist PD Dr. Jürgen Lassak has now disc.....»»
Five space mysteries Proba-3 will help solve
ESA's Proba-3 will be the first mission to create an artificial total solar eclipse by flying a pair of satellites 150 meters apart. For six hours at a time, it will be able to see the sun's faint atmosphere, the corona, in the hard-to-observe region.....»»
Poplar tree study discovers a photosynthesis gene that boosts plant height
A team of scientists have identified a gene in poplar trees that enhances photosynthesis and can boost tree height. The study, "An orphan gene BOOSTER enhances photosynthetic efficiency and plant productivity," is published in Developmental Cell, and.....»»
Open-source platform supports large imaging data analysis of single cell responses to manipulation
Modern day drug discovery is shifting from single end point assays to more complex phenotypic assays that query single cell and population responses to chemicals and genetic manipulation......»»
Nanoscale bumps and grooves trigger big changes in cell behavior
The surfaces that cells come into contact with can influence how the cells grow, function, and communicate—shaping metabolism and even cellular health. Now, engineering researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a platform.....»»
Novel organoid mimics all three key cell types of pancreas to offer a view of early fetal development
Researchers from the Organoid group (previously Clevers group) at the Hubrecht Institute have developed a new organoid that mimics the human fetal pancreas, offering a clearer view of its early development. The researchers were able to recreate a com.....»»
New understanding of a cancer-relevant protein reveals opportunities for drug discovery
A new approach to targeting a protein involved in cell division, which can misfunction in cancer, has revealed new insights into how it functions......»»
Seeing is believing: Leveraging defining morphological features for accurate selection of brain organoids
By combining morphological and single-cell level gene expression analyses, a team of researchers led by Professor Jun Takahashi in the Department of Clinical Application at Kyoto University has established a new non-destructive system to select high-.....»»
10 great free mysteries you should stream right now
Streaming services are great, but subscriptions are not free. , as does Disney+ and every other streaming service out there, and sometimes, you might be looking for a movie that you can watch without any strings attached. If you’re looking for.....»»
Minerals in hot springs performed a key chemical reaction for early life on Earth, new study confirms
One of the biggest scientific mysteries is where life on Earth started......»»
Novel quantum computing algorithm enhances single-cell analysis
A new quantum algorithm developed by University of Georgia statisticians addresses one of the most complex challenges in single-cell analysis, signaling significant impact in both the fields of computational biology and quantum computing......»»
Scientists reveal structural link for initiation of protein synthesis in bacteria
Within a cell, DNA carries the genetic code for building proteins. To build proteins, the cell makes a copy of DNA, called mRNA. Then, another molecule called a ribosome reads the mRNA, translating it into protein. But this step has been a visual mys.....»»