Why African scientists are studying the genes of African species, and how they do it
DNA is the blueprint of life. All the information that an organism needs to survive, reproduce, adapt to environments or survive a disease is in its DNA......»»
Using CRISPR to decipher whether gene variants lead to cancer
In recent years, scientists have created a range of new methods based on CRISPR-Cas technology for precisely editing the genetic material of living organisms. One application is in cell therapy: A patient's immune cells can be specifically reprogramm.....»»
Endangered creature hit and killed by vehicle in Florida—the 27th death this year
A 2-year-old panther—listed as an endangered species—was found dead on a road in Florida, marking the 27th panther death in the state this year, records show......»»
Biologists discover new species of gecko
A team of biologists led by The University of Texas at Arlington has discovered a new tiny lizard species in the Paria Peninsula of northeastern Venezuela. This discovery, accepted for publication in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, hig.....»»
Invasive Species Are Threatening the Quality of New York’s Tap Water
Zebra mussels, hydrilla, and now a water flea have made their homes in New Croton Reservoir......»»
The US Has a Cloned Sheep Contraband Problem
After a Montana man illegally cloned and bred an endangered giant sheep species, government agencies must now contend with the illicit offspring......»»
People do care about extinct species, but not for long—new study
Lonesome George was discovered motionless in his enclosure, one morning in June 2012. Overnight, George had taken not only his final breath but the final breath of his entire species, the Pinta Island tortoise, as it faded into extinction......»»
New CRISPR system for gene silencing doesn"t rely on cutting DNA
Scientists from Vilnius University's (VU) Life Sciences Center (LSC) have discovered a unique way for cells to silence specific genes without cutting DNA. This research, led by Prof. Patrick Pausch and published in the journal Nature Communications,.....»»
Miniature tag offers unique insight into the movement of hummingbirds
Scientists from the University of Aberdeen have attached tiny "backpack" type trackers to hummingbirds in the Andes in a bid to learn more about their movements......»»
53 years of survey data confirm African elephant decline
Habitat loss and poaching have driven dramatic declines in African elephants, but it is challenging to measure their numbers and monitor changes across the entire continent. A new study has analyzed 53 years of population survey data and found large-.....»»
African voices in ink: Researcher uncovers letters from Igbo people
Who writes history? It depends on who you read. Dr. Bright Alozie of Portland State University considers himself a historian of ordinary voices. His newly published book explores petitions and the trend of petition writing by Igbo individuals to Brit.....»»
New AI model improves prediction power for genomics related to disease
To understand the workings of DNA in relation to disease, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed the first multimodal deep learning model of its kind, EPBDxDNABERT-2, capable of ascertaining the precise relationship between trans.....»»
Secrets of the corpse flower revealed
The unusual odor of the titan arum, commonly called the corpse flower because its scent is reminiscent of rotting flesh, draws crowds of curious visitors to greenhouses around the world during its rare blooms. What also intrigues scientists is the co.....»»
Satellite data analysis shows wildland-urban interface areas have grown by 35% over past two decades
A trio of environmental scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, working with a colleague from China's Ministry of Education, has found evidence via satellite analysis that global.....»»
Scientists unlock mechanisms of liquid-repellent surfaces
Griffith University scientists have made significant strides in understanding and controlling liquid interactions on tiny, advanced surfaces, a breakthrough that could impact a wide range of industries, from self-cleaning materials to medical devices.....»»
How gophers brought Mount St. Helens back to life in one day
When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, lava incinerated anything living for miles around. As an experiment, scientists later dropped gophers onto parts of the scorched mountain for only 24 hours. The benefits from that single day were undeniable—an.....»»
Unveiling the secrets of aging: Scientists discover dual role of immunoglobulins
A team of scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and BGI Research has uncovered the intricate mechanisms by which immunoglobulins influence the aging process, a finding that might reshape our understanding of aging......»»
Meet Strawberry Claws—a new species of hermit crab
Say hello to Strawberry Claws, a large new-to-science species of hermit crab recently described by Queensland Museum scientists......»»
Saturday Citations: Color vision created demand for colorful animals; observing black hole light echoes; deadlines!
This week, researchers hypothesized that human culture is distinguished from cultures of other species like whales by unique open-endedness—the ability to communicate and understand an infinite number of possibilities. An ancient unicellular organi.....»»
New insights into the Denisovans—the hominin group that interbred with modern day humans
Scientists believe individuals of the most recently discovered hominin group (the Denisovans) that interbred with modern day humans passed on some of their genes via multiple, distinct interbreeding events that helped shape early human history......»»
Implementing topologically ordered time crystals on quantum processors
In a new study published in Nature Communications, scientists have implemented the topologically ordered time crystal on a quantum processor for the first time......»»