Whole genomes map pathways of chimpanzee and bonobo divergence
Chimpanzees and bonobos are sister species that diverged around 1.8 million years ago as the Congo River formed a geographic boundary and they evolved in separate environments. Now, a whole-genome comparison of bonobos and chimpanzees reveals the gen.....»»
CONSTANS protein negatively modulates salinity tolerance in arabidopsis, study shows
CONSTANS (CO), a well-known member of the B-box family, is the major component of the photoperiodically regulated flowering and circadian pathways in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). CO is expressed in various tissues, including seedling roots and.....»»
A user-friendly platform for virtual exploration of chemical reactions
A new online platform to explore computationally calculated chemical reaction pathways has been released, allowing for in-depth understanding and design of chemical reactions......»»
New study shows that the Bachman"s warbler was a distinct species
The Bachman's warbler, a songbird that was last seen in North America nearly 40 years ago, was a distinct species and not a hybrid of its two living sister species, according a new study in which the full genomes of seven museum specimens of the bird.....»»
New genomic mechanisms of fish survival in the extreme cold revealed
An international team based at the University of Cambridge and the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the U.K., the University of Oslo in Norway as well as institutes in the Netherlands, Switzerland and the U.S. has sequenced the genomes of 24 Antarctic fi.....»»
Computer scientists sequence cotton genome
Cotton is the primary source of natural fiber on Earth, yet only four of 50 known species are suitable for textile production. Computer scientists at DePaul University applied a bioinformatics workflow to reconstruct one of the most complete genomes.....»»
Different pathways for achieving endothermy in teleost fish species
Endothermic animals include mammals and birds, but there are also some fish capable of endothermy. Over hundreds of millions of years of evolution, at least 40 species of fish have overcome the challenge of losing heat in water and successfully achie.....»»
Genetic variation, selection and hybridization all contribute to desert adaptation in foxes
Genomic research led by the University of California at Berkeley has looked to uncover the origins and history of desert adaptation in foxes. In a paper, "North African fox genomes show signatures of repeated introgression and adaptation to life in d.....»»
Genomics Are a Lifesaver for Patients With Rare Diseases
The 100,000 Genomes Project has a massive database to help doctors and patients solve baffling medical cases and diagnose cancers......»»
Interdisciplinary team tracks the fate of plastic waste in the North Sea
The dispersal pathways of plastic waste in the southern North Sea have been investigated by an interdisciplinary research team led by the University of Oldenburg. A key part of the "Macroplastics" project was the participation of citizens. The volunt.....»»
Two new snail species discovered in Lake Biwa after systematic revision
Snails may look slow and sleepy, but evolutionarily the freshwater mollusks in Lake Biwa have been busy. However, despite evidence of morphological and genetic variation, new species divergence long went unnoticed......»»
A not-so-selfish "genetic parasite" helps to preserve fertility
Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences are essential parts of many species' genomes. The highly repetitive nature of these DNA sequences makes them susceptible to shrinkage over time—and if they shrink too much, cells die. If rDNA shrinks too much in germ.....»»
Symmetry breaking by ultrashort light pulses opens new quantum pathways for coherent phonons
Atoms in a crystal form a regular lattice, in which they can move over small distances from their equilibrium positions. Such phonon excitations are represented by quantum states. A superposition of phonon states defines a so-called phonon wavepacket.....»»
How cells select DNA damage repair pathways
DNA is well known as the blueprint of life, necessary for an organism to facilitate living processes. DNA can be damaged by various factors such as radical metabolites, radiation, and some toxic chemicals. As DNA is a molecule consisting of two stran.....»»
Apple"s headset drastically changed over time & top execs are skeptical
Despite the divergence of the upcoming Apple AR headset from the company's original vision, and skepticism from executives, Tim Cook himself is actively pushing the project forward.Render of Apple headsetAnticipated to make its debut at WWDC in June,.....»»
Mechanisms for removal of strong, replication-blocking lesions generated by the human HMCES protein
Researchers at Nagoya University and Osaka University in Japan have found novel repair pathways of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites of DNA. Repair of the base excision, which repairs AP sites, is an essential mechanism for cell survival. Its dysfunct.....»»
Reconstructing ancient bacterial genomes can revive previously unknown molecules, a potential source for new antibiotics
Microorganisms—in particular bacteria—are skillful chemists that can produce an impressive diversity of chemical compounds known as natural products. These metabolites provide the microbes major evolutionary advantages, such as allowing them to i.....»»
Prevalence of transposable elements may provide clues to worldwide mammal biodiversity
An international scientific project that compares the genomes of 240 living species of mammals has identified transposable elements (TEs)—genes that can change their position within a genome, creating or reversing mutations and thus altering a cell.....»»
Researchers use genomes of 241 species to redefine mammalian tree of life
Research led by a team of scientists from the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences puts to bed the heated scientific debate regarding the history of mammal diversification as it relates to the extinction of the non-avian di.....»»
Machine learning helps scientists identify the environmental preferences of microbes
Researchers have figured out a way to predict bacteria's environmental pH preferences from a quick look at their genomes, using machine learning. Led by experts at the University of Colorado Boulder, the new approach promises to help guide ecological.....»»
Single-celled alga found to harbor seven genomes
An international team of oceanographers, parasitologists and biologists has found that the single-celled alga Cryptomonas gyropyrenoidosa harbors seven genomes in its one cell. In their study, reported in the journal Current Biology, the group explor.....»»