Biology
Key cell traits help plants survive in saltwater
Key cell traits help plants survive in saltwater R researchers have identified key cell traits that help plants survive in saltwater, which could lead to creating salt-tolerant crops. The study focused on mangrove trees, which have evolved to thrive in salty environments and found that they have unusually small cells and thicker cell walls. These […]
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How do some mammals hit pause on pregnancy?
How do some mammals hit pause on pregnancy? Researchers have discovered how some mammals can “hit pause” on pregnancy, allowing them to delay implantation of the embryo until conditions are right. A study published in Genes & Development reveals that embryonic stem cells from mice maintain their ability to become any cell type even after […]
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Songbirds swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors
Songbirds swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors Scientists have discovered that songbirds can swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors, challenging the traditional view of evolution as a linear process. The study, led by evolutionary biologist David Toews, analyzed the genomes of over 2 trillion base […]
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Fern stems reveal secrets of evolution – how constraints in development can lead to new forms
Fern stems reveal secrets of evolution – how constraints in development can lead to new forms Ferns can teach us about evolution by examining their inner anatomy, particularly their stems and roots. The arrangement of vascular bundles in fern stems varies substantially, but recent research suggests that this variation is linked to the number and […]
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What is BioSentinel?
What is BioSentinel? BioSentinel is a NASA mission that launched on Artemis I in December 2022 to study the effects of space radiation on living organisms. The spacecraft, one of 10 CubeSats, flew past the Moon and entered deep space, where it has been collecting data on space radiation levels. The mission uses yeast as […]
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Cells ‘feel’ farther with this trick
Cells ‘feel’ farther with this trick New research reveals that normal cells can sense their environment beyond what they are attached to, similar to cancer cells that have an enhanced sense of distance. A collective of epithelial cells on the surface of tissue can work together to generate higher forces and “feel” through fibrous collagen […]
🏥 Health
Bacteria may be key to the mystery of why you sleep
Bacteria may be key to the mystery of why you sleep Bacteria may play a key role in regulating our sleep patterns, according to new research that suggests a substance found in bacterial cell walls is present in the brains of mice and closely aligned with the sleep cycle. The study proposes a new paradigm […]
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This fish has forehead teeth it uses for mating
This fish has forehead teeth it uses for mating New research has identified forehead teeth on spotted ratfish, a shark-like species native to the northeastern Pacific Ocean, which are used for mating. The discovery challenges the long-standing assumption in evolutionary biology that teeth are strictly oral structures and suggests that teeth could be growing elsewhere […]
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Bumblebee queens take days off
Bumblebee queens take days off Bumblebee queens, responsible for founding their colonies, take regular breaks from reproduction to avoid burning out before their first workers arrive. The pauses in egg-laying appear to be triggered by the developmental stages of the existing brood, with queens resuming reproduction when pupae are present. Researchers monitored over 100 queens […]
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50 years after ‘Jaws,’ researchers have retired the man-eater myth and revealed more about sharks’ amazing biology
50 years after ‘Jaws,’ researchers have retired the man-eater myth and revealed more about sharks’ amazing biology 50 years after the release of “Jaws,” researchers have debunked the myth that sharks are mindless killers, revealing their amazing biology and fascinating adaptations. Sharks have an incredible ability to replace their teeth throughout life, with some species […]
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