Biology
Mowing less, spraying smarter give pollinators a boost
Roadsides may not look like wildlife habitat, but a few simple changes to how they are maintained could turn them into much better places for pollinators. A new uOttawa-led study …
American beech trees may carry genetic resistance to deadly leaf disease
A study led by scientists at the Holden Arboretum has found evidence that beech leaf disease (BLD) symptom development is genetically controlled, providing the first evidence that…
Plasma-activated water tests show concentration matters for effective bacterial disinfection
In a study published in npj Clean Water, researchers from EPFL investigated how Escherichia coli responds to different concentrations of plasma-activated water (PAW) under nutrien…
Why a food poisoning bacterium can cause severe wound infections
The toxin NheABC, produced by Bacillus cereus, is particularly active in the pH conditions found in open wounds. Researchers at Umeå University found that the toxin damages both c…
Computer-designed protein targets immune receptor linked to inflammation at new 'undruggable' site
To sense their environment and respond accordingly, cells enlist membrane proteins as communication hubs, receiving molecular messages from outside and triggering responses inside…
New algorithm makes maps of gene activity easier to compare while preserving cell-level detail
Spatial transcriptomics can reveal where thousands of genes are active across a tissue, creating molecular maps at single-cell resolution. But comparing two such maps is difficult…
Animals may have evolved vastly earlier than fossil evidence suggests
The earliest animals may have evolved hundreds of millions of years before their first unmistakable fossils appear in the fossil record, according to a new study led by the Univer…
Millions of years of evolution guide AI search for pollution-fighting enzymes
Databases around the world contain information on millions upon millions of enzymes that have the potential to degrade pollutants like plastic. Scientists at Murdoch University's …
Q&A: Why are red squirrels endangered—and can we save them?
The red squirrel was once a familiar sight across Britain. Today, it has disappeared from much of its former range. Dr. Kat Hamill, senior lecturer in zoology at Nottingham Trent …
A 'reality check' for lab-grown human embryo models
University of Sydney researchers have developed a new way to test how closely lab-grown biological models resemble real human embryos, finding that while some models perform well,…
Multitasking in magenta: Colored solar panels could help farms grow crops and generate electricity on shared land
Broccoli grown under magenta solar panels absorbed sunlight more efficiently than plants grown out in the open, according to a study to be published Oct. 2 in Cell Reports Physica…
First U.S. tomato spotted wilt virus clone could speed development of disease-resistant crops
New technology from Texas A&M AgriLife Research could be a major step toward bringing disease-resistant peppers and tomatoes to growers' fields and lowering costs at grocery store…
Natural-material bricks aim to give urban birds alternatives to nesting with trash
It's spring, and Australian birds are building their nests. But with what? Alongside grass and twigs, birds are collecting our trash. In 2023, a global study found litter in the n…
Are Australia's native bees thriving or declining?
It's a sight to behold.
A conservation success story for New Zealand's heaviest insect
The success of a large-scale recovery program for wētāpunga/Little Barrier giant wētā, New Zealand's heaviest insect, has been officially documented in the New Zealand Journal of …
Birdsong tells only part of a forest's story: Evolutionary trees reveal the rest
Birds calling back and forth in the morning make up one of the defining sounds of tropical forests. We're likely to assume that hearing or seeing more types of birds indicates a h…
The vanishing of aurochs: Genetic evidence reveals multiple stressors at the same time
Aurochs, the ancient ancestors of modern cattle, once roamed large parts of Europe, Asia and northern Africa. New research by an international team led by Lund University indicate…
The incredible science of memory manipulation
Madeleine Finlay hears from Steve Ramirez, an associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, whose book How to Change a Memory was shortlisted for t…
Return of swarming moth spectacle has Australia in a flutter
Moth swarms so thick they can blot out the stars are fluttering across Australia, heralding a migratory spectacle unseen since the creature's brush with extinction nearly 10 years…
Underwater umbrellas for coral reefs could help protect against heat damage
High sea temperatures driven by the climate crisis damage corals, bleaching them ghostly white and killing them. While restoration of dead reefs is possible, it's difficult and ex…
SpaceX flight led by first Black female commander sets US speed record
Four astronauts pulled up at International Space Station after eight-hour express flight led by Jessica WatkinsFour astronauts pulled up at the International Space Station on Thur…
Learning to speak elephant: Choruses of rumbles help groups coordinate
Choruses of African elephant rumbles appear to become more similar in certain situations, including reuniting or coordinating what to do next. Now, new research published in Scien…
Camelina genome analysis reveals how wild relatives could expand crop breeding options
Camelina is a relatively new oilseed gaining interest for its potential use in food, livestock feed and renewable fuel markets. A newly published research paper provides insights …
Five new species of freshwater mussels in southern US uncovered by researchers
A new research paper published in Zootaxa describes five new species of freshwater mussels in the southern U.S., providing the scientific foundation for protecting the most imperi…