When synthetic evolution rhymes with natural diversity
Researchers at GMI—Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) use two complementary approaches to unveil a c.....»»
Study examines which students fare worst when natural disasters close schools
Researchers have examined the impact of school closures due to natural disasters and found that these closures have similar impacts on student performance across economic groups. The researchers find white students and high-performing students are le.....»»
Coral exudates, not algae, linked to bacterial growth that threaten reefs
A study led by the University of Bremen suggests that on algae-dominated coral reefs, it is not the algae but the corals themselves that may contribute to the growth of harmful bacteria. This discovery suggests that a disturbance in the natural compo.....»»
A next-generation catalog of cultivated bananas
A new research paper presents a cutting-edge catalog of banana diversity, utilizing innovative genomic techniques to trace the ancestral origins of various banana cultivars. The study involved collaboration between multiple institutions, and includes.....»»
The Secret Electrostatic World of Insects
Invisibly to us, insects and other tiny creatures use static electricity to travel, avoid predators, collect pollen, and more. New experiments explore how evolution may have influenced this phenomenon......»»
Cracking the code: Researchers unlock a "new synthetic frontier" for quantum dots
The type of semiconductive nanocrystals known as quantum dots are both expanding the forefront of pure science and also hard at work in practical applications including lasers, quantum QLED televisions and displays, solar cells, medical devices, and.....»»
Study reveals the twists and turns of mammal evolution from a sprawling to upright posture
Mammals, including humans, stand out with their distinctively upright posture, a key trait that fueled their spectacular evolutionary success. Yet, the earliest known ancestors of modern mammals more resembled reptiles, with limbs stuck out to their.....»»
A natural climate change laboratory in Japan reveals the adaptation dynamics of fishers
A new study published in the journal People and Nature reveals the complex relationship between the impacts of climate change and the adaptive responses of coastal fishers in one of the areas most affected by these environmental changes: the southern.....»»
From fireflies to drones: Researchers uncover strategy for synchronization efficiency
Researchers from The University of New Mexico School of Engineering looked to the natural world to explain how synchronized systems can work more efficiently and made a significant discovery. Their results were published in the journal Nature Communi.....»»
Synthetic asexual reproduction system in hybrid rice shows promise for seed production
Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction that allows hybrid rice to propagate by seeds. Recently, a collaborative research team led by Professor Li Jiayang from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sc.....»»
Natural compound found in flowers blocks activity of an enzyme involved in multiple sclerosis and cancer
Scientists have identified a natural compound that halts the process involved in the progression of certain forms of cancer and demyelinating conditions—those that damage the sheath, known as myelin, that surrounds neurons—such as multiple sclero.....»»
Molecular insights into the dynamic dance of nanoplastics and natural organic matter
Nanoplastics, emerging as persistent environmental pollutants, pose significant threats due to their durability and wide distribution in water bodies. Their interactions with natural organic matter are critical, influencing pollutant retention, micro.....»»
Mobile phone networks and Bluetooth technology could help researchers improve animal tracking
Animal tracking studies for ecology and conservation all face technological limitations, such as high costs or the need for tags to remain in close proximity to detectors. In research published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution, investigators descr.....»»
iPad mini review roundup: Minor but needed evolution
The first reviews for the new iPad mini are out, and the general consensus is that it's a relatively safe update that depends on Apple Intelligence to be worthwhile.iPad mini 7 with A17 ProApple's update to the iPad mini introduces relatively few cha.....»»
Genomic study offers hope for endangered Oriental stork
A new genomic study of the endangered Oriental stork reveals that the population's genetic health is still surprisingly strong, with high genetic diversity and low levels of inbreeding. This is an uncommon finding in most endangered species populatio.....»»
Evolution in action: How ethnic Tibetan women thrive in thin oxygen at high altitudes
Breathing thin air at extreme altitudes presents a significant challenge—there's simply less oxygen with every lungful. Yet, for more than 10,000 years, Tibetan women living on the high Tibetan Plateau have not only survived but thrived in that env.....»»
Nitrogen-fixing plant diversity declines with over-fertilization, study finds
Anthropogenic nitrogen deposition and climate change can reduce the competitive advantage of nitrogen-fixing plants, leading to reduced diversity of these plants in a community. Surprisingly, changes in temperature and aridity do not contribute to th.....»»
Creating a simplified form of life: Scientists build modules for a synthetic cell
It is one of the most fundamental questions in science: how can lifeless molecules come together to form a living cell? Bert Poolman, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Groningen, has been working on this problem for over 20 years. He aim.....»»
Turtle genome provides new clues on the evolution of vertebrates
Scientists from the UAB and Iowa State University have generated the genome assemblies of two hidden-neck turtles. The results, which revealed a new three-dimensional structure of the genome within the phylogenetic group of reptiles, birds and mammal.....»»
Study evaluates overall soil arthropod diversity at different geographic scales
Soil arthropods contribute to terrestrial ecosystem functions and services. Previous studies have mainly focused on specific arthropod and non-arthropod taxonomic groups at various geographic scales. However, the patterns of overall soil arthropod co.....»»
New study investigates insecticide contamination in Minnesota"s water
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) found that specific insecticides, called neonicotinoids, were found at high concentrations in some ground.....»»