Biology
Long-standing Indigenous practice of adding shells to sand helps young clams withstand ocean acidification
New research from the University of California, Davis, reveals why adding crushed shells to beach sand helps protect shell-making animals—such as clams, oysters and mussels—from t…
Burrowing shrimp are on the move in a mudflat near you
Burrowing shrimp are a pest well known to shellfish growers. These pale-bodied creatures excavate mud as they dig into the ground, creating piles of sediment that suffocate oyster…
Reexamining sexual and species recognition in butterflies: The Partner-Hazard Space framework
Generally, intra- and intersexual interactions have been considered qualitatively different processes. However, same-sex sexual behavior is widespread in the animal kingdom, chall…
High-speed microscopy captures 3D images of living cells nearly 400 times faster
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a high-speed microscopy technique that captures images so quickly they can be used to make "videos" of the dynamic processes …
Crowding can speed up enzyme reactions—until protein droplets become too packed
Our cells are a hotbed of activity, with reactions churning away to keep us alive. But the cytoplasm, where many metabolic reactions take place, is not uniform. Instead, proteins …
Week in wildlife: a fishing anhinga, a northern nutcracker and cuddling seals
This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world Continue reading...
Country diary: The light and shade of autumn’s shortening days | Merryn Glover
Loch Insh, Cairngorms: In my three decades in Scotland I’ve adjusted to the darkness of this time of year, and found glory in the quality of lightIt is the one clear day in a fort…
New AI tool helps scientists identify bacteria hidden in soil
A handful of soil holds a crowded world of bacteria, fungi and other organisms. Scientists can collect their DNA, but much of it remains difficult to identify. Now, researchers at…
Keeping one eye open: Veterinarian applies unique treatment to preserve dog's eyesight
Aparna Shah teaches Virginia Tech students how the human eye turns light into sight. In May, she saw her dog lose his.
Evolutionary changes in key enzyme may help bacteria make proteins faster
Evolutionary changes in a key protein synthesis enzyme, isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS), may help bacteria fine-tune how quickly proteins are made, report researchers from Insti…
Simplified ancestral enzyme makes ATP without amino acid needed for its usual reaction
Proteins perform essential functions in living organisms, from catalyzing biochemical reactions to supporting cellular energy metabolism. Their functions depend on their amino aci…
A protein that regulates mRNA decoding can itself be regulated with implications for understanding cancer
Decoding of messenger RNA (mRNA) occurs during translation, the vital cellular process that builds proteins. Errors in this process are known to lead to cancer growth. Scientists …
Borneo's wildfires could have a lasting impact on orangutans
Indonesia is battling one of its most severe wildfire seasons in over a decade, as intense El Niño conditions fuel widespread drought. Some of the most severely affected areas are…
Qinghai–Tibet Plateau study traces evolution of terrestrial animals across three distinct regions
A new study has pieced together the evolutionary history of terrestrial animals on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP), offering a comprehensive picture of how the distinctive fauna o…
The human surfaceome: AI flags potential cell surface drug targets overlooked by major databases
More than 65% of approved medicines work by binding to proteins on the surface of human cells. Yet scientists developing new treatments face a fundamental problem: Major biologica…
The 'shape' of gene expression: Identifying genes that may share roles across species
Much of what we know about biology comes from animal models, particularly mice. Applying these insights to humans, however, is not always straightforward. For example, some of the…
Detailed images reveal ribosome assembly inside human cells for the first time
For decades, ribosomes have been under the lens of many scientists. Ribosomes are highly sophisticated and complex molecular machines that allow cells to synthesize proteins. Howe…
Wild orchids face growing challenges as conservation falls short
At first glance, it is easy to see why Corybas puniceus has captured the attention of collectors around the world. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, its unusual shape …
How eggs protect chromosome connections during prolonged dormancy
Eggs follow a very different developmental path from sperm. Once a male hits puberty, sperm cells are produced continuously throughout his life. Eggs, however, are all produced du…
Sealing gaps and securing food can fight rodent infestations while protecting predators
Mice and rats can spread dangerous viruses and bacteria, trigger asthma attacks and damage property with their constant gnawing. So when rodents get indoors, most people take acti…
Machine-learning models predict human health from microbiome data
Inside the gut, on the surface of the skin and lining your ears, mouth and nose are colonies of millions of microbes. For every human cell you have, there are at least as many mic…
What drives temperature preferences? Female mice have temperature sensors tuned to run warmer
Female mice like warmer spaces than males because of two types of tiny temperature sensors in their nerves which are tuned to switch on at higher temperatures, according to resear…
Fingerprints of the sea: Identifying sharks by their fins alone
Every oceanic whitetip shark has a fin pattern as unique as a human fingerprint. In a new study published in Marine Biology, FIU researchers identified more than 50 oceanic whitet…
Zombie bacteria keep building DNA after death
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered that bacteria can continue producing DNA after they die. And they have found a way to control what gets produced. The discovery co…