Biology
New method helps researchers study proteins involved in plant health, disease
Plants—like people—come in all shapes and sizes. And just like scientists want to understand the components of the human body to treat disease and improve our lives, they also wan…
Humans and songbirds hear the same sounds, but organize them differently
Researchers from the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University have discovered that humans and songbirds use markedly different strategies to recognize sequences of complex so…
Sequence changes help modified mRNA avoid protein-making errors to improve vaccine design
When the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 turned our world upside down, mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 brought a breakthrough. Their success established modified mRNA as a powerful foundati…
Researchers uncover multiple genetic paths that lead to mottled feathers in chickens
The white-tipped feathers found in many chicken breeds may look like variations of the same decorative pattern, but new research shows that they do not all share the same genetic …
3D map of rice development charts gene activity across plant's entire life cycle
Rice is one of the world's most familiar staple foods, but how does a single cell develop into a rice plant with specialized tissues and organs? A new study offers a detailed look…
Candida auris copies its entire genome to survive antifungal treatment, research reveals
New research has revealed an unexpected new mechanism through which the killer fungus Candida auris is resisting antifungal drug treatment. A team led by the University of Exeter …
Newly discovered antiviral system in bacteria is 'strangest of its kind'
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have uncovered an unusual bacterial immune system that operates in reverse of known defenses. The discovery, published in Molecular Cell, detai…
Before leaf miner damage shows, horse chestnut leaves alter how they function
Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) and Semmelweis University have investigated what happens to horse chestnut leaves when they are attacked from within by the horse …
Natural RNA modifications in archaea mirror those used in medicine
RNA therapeutics open up new possibilities for the targeted and precise treatment of diseases. To ensure that RNA molecules remain stable in the body and can reliably exert their …
Winged insect evolution: New evidence sheds light on century-old debate
A new study combining genomic analyses and fossil evidence sheds light on the century-old "Palaeoptera Problem," a longstanding debate over the evolutionary relationships among ma…
A small RNA switch with huge potential opens up new possibilities for synthetic biology
An international research team led by TU Darmstadt Professor Beatrix Süß, working in close collaboration with partners in Germany and Denmark, has elucidated how an RNA switch new…
A closer look at hard-to-see cells could answer new questions about nerve damage and recovery
Under the microscope, mitochondria inside healthy terminal Schwann cells form a web of interconnected branches, with tiny doughnut-shaped loops appearing near where the cells bran…
Mushroom-derived peptides boost saltiness by up to 70%, offering a path to low-sodium foods
Scientists have found a way to make salt taste saltier without increasing its sodium content, a welcome development in the culinary world. Salt is a powerful flavor enhancer, draw…
Recycled fertilizers from sanitation systems are as effective as conventional fertilizers, study finds
Agriculture depends on a reliable supply of nutrients. Phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium, for example, are indispensable for agricultural crop production. However, natural reserv…
The surprising psychology of morbid curiosity - video
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s plan to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan has incurred condemnation from human rights groups and politicians on all sides. But acco…
Copper-resistant bacteria complicate efforts to keep ship hulls clean
Marine bacteria have evolved to bypass the copper-based coatings applied to ship hulls to stop the growth of barnacles, algae and other marine life. This necessitates new methods …
How much training is too much for a racehorse? New bone research has some answers
The old "more is better" mindset in racehorse training is changing. And with no link identified between higher racehorse training workloads and a trainer's success, there's a big …
Random mutations turn RNA droplets into cell-like structures that move and store cargo
A small number of random genetic mutations cause simple RNA droplets to transform into cell-like structures. In this process, they form cavities, can move and are able to take up …
Increasing woody vegetation may boost populations of Georgia's gamebird
Georgia has been a destination for quail hunters for more than a century. But recent declines in its bobwhite population have researchers searching for answers to boost the popula…
Illegal fungus release reveals tangled history of Australia's decadeslong battle with blackberry
Over the summer of 1983–84, a fungus called Phragmidium violaceum was introduced to Australia. It was done secretly, deliberately and illegally. And it was done for one purpose: t…
How cells make their command center accessible
The cells of higher organisms such as mammals, flies and fungi enclose their genetic material in a nucleus. A nuclear envelope, consisting of two stacked membranes, protects it. F…
Modified lentil protein mimics fat in non-fat yogurt
Modified lentil protein can act like fat in nonfat foods, especially yogurt, delivering creaminess and richness, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. The wor…
Hooked on tuna: People have been harvesting these ocean predators for 44,000 years
From a humble mayonnaise-laden sandwich to an expensive piece of sashimi, tuna is a prized source of food for people around the world. Once an inexpensive, easily shipped canned p…
Rangers reimagine AI in wildlife monitoring
As workplaces around the world wrestle with integrating artificial intelligence into their operations, researchers and rangers in the heart of West Arnhem are successfully embraci…