From the smallest microbe to the largest dinosaurs and from the tiniest spore to the biggest giant sequoia, biological research continues to uncover weird and wonderful secrets of the creatures with whom we share the planet with – and could soon extend to the study of life on bodies in the solar system beyond our home.
The brain is a complex tangle of neurons that allow us to process lots of different stimuli at once. A Duke University team has found evidence that individual neurons can process multiple signals simultaneously, by rapidly alternating between them.
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We've all heard about ancient insects getting preserved in amber (fossilized tree resin), with similarly-preserved items including dinosaur feathers, mammalian red blood cells and a bizarre spider. Now, for the first time, scientists have found an amber-encased prehistoric snake.
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To investigate how gut bacteria can affect overall health, researchers at Harvard Medical School have deleted a single gene from one gut bacteria species and found that it alters the metabolism of the host, reducing their weight gain.
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Researchers at Washington University in St Louis have isolated a small cluster of “grandmother” neurons that tell the rest of the brain when to go to bed, and found that stimulating those could help combat jet lag.
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The way genes are expressed can be changed by environmental or lifestyle factors and these changes may be inherited from parents. A new study has found that male mice who spend time in cold environments may pass down this “experience” to their kids, in the form of higher levels of warming brown fat.
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It’s long been believed that cytomegalovirus (CMV) probably weakens the immune system in older people, but now mice tests have shown that the opposite is true – somehow, the virus gives the immune system a bit of a late-stage boost.
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If you're a fan of frogs, then unfortunately you've probably heard of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). It's been decimating amphibian populations around the world. Now, however, scientists believe they know where it originates – and that knowledge could help keep it from spreading.
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Scientists are reporting a promising breakthrough in the battle for the survival of the functionally extinct northern white rhino, producing first-of-a-kind test tube embryos they claim can offer a high probability of pregnancy in a surrogate mother.
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An intriguing new study has homed in on several specific genomic regions that seem to be associated with greater traits of social isolation and loneliness. The results suggest genetic traits associated with loneliness cross over with a susceptibility for bad cardiovascular health and depression.
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Researchers have identified a new gene that plays a fundamental role in regulating the production of pro-inflammatory proteins. It's hoped the discovery of this previously unknown genetic mechanism will offer scientists exciting new pathways to treat a variety of diseases, from cancer to diabetes.
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