Biology
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.
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Semi-living "cyborg cells" can survive where normal bacteria can't
January 23, 2023Manipulating microbes has helped human civilization for millennia, since we started using yeast to make bread and booze. In a modern breakthrough, scientists have created semi-living “cyborg cells” that can survive in environments natural cells can’t. -
Newly discovered pterosaur used tiny teeth to feed like a wading whale
January 23, 2023Back in 2021, we heard about a pterosaur that had a mouth full of big, sharp teeth. Well, scientists have now discovered a pterosaur that went to the other extreme, as it used over 400 small, hooked teeth to catch its prey. -
Epigenetic "reboot" reverses aging in mice and could extend lifespan
January 15, 2023Harvard scientists have investigated why we age, and how we could stop it. In tests in mice, the team showed that epigenetic “software glitches” drive the symptoms of aging – and a system reboot can reverse them, potentially extending lifespan. -
Resurrected 2.6-billion-year-old CRISPR enzymes can still edit cells
January 03, 2023Researchers have resurrected ancient CRISPR proteins from millions and even billions of years ago. Not only can they still edit human cells, but they’re more versatile than modern versions, paving the way for new synthetic CRISPR gene-editing tools. -
Mini human brains implanted in mice respond to light the animals see
January 02, 2023Mini human brains, grown from stem cells and implanted into living mice, have for the first time been shown to respond to things the mice were seeing. Scientists were able to watch the responses in real time thanks to specialized graphene electrodes. -
Male and female stem cells created from single person for the first time
December 22, 2022Scientists have for the first time created male and female stem cells from the same person. This means the cells are genetically identical except for the sex chromosomes, enabling a new platform for studying sex differences in drugs and diseases. -
Glassfrogs turn transparent by moving red blood cells into liver
December 22, 2022When glassfrogs sleep, they turn their bodies transparent in order to evade predators. Scientists have now discovered that they do so by moving their red blood cells into their liver – and the finding could have implications for human medicine. -
Fossil evidence shows that a dinosaur included mammals in its diet
December 22, 2022It has long been known that some of the earliest mammals coexisted with the later-period dinosaurs. Now, for just the second time ever, scientists have documented fossil evidence of a dinosaur having actually eaten one of those mammals. -
CRISPR cuts tree flowering times from a decade to mere months
December 20, 2022Breeding plants can give them new beneficial traits, but trees have a frustratingly long reproductive cycle. Now, scientists at the University of Georgia have used CRISPR gene-editing to make poplar trees flower within months rather than a decade. -
Signs of Alzheimer's found in brains of beached dolphins
December 19, 2022Could the phenomenon of whale and dolphin strandings be due to Alzheimer's-like cognitive deficits in pod leaders that draw groups into shallow waters? A new study found pathological signs of Alzheimer's disease in brain tissue from stranded dolphins. -
Chimp study refutes prevailing theory on origins of bipedalism
December 14, 2022It has long been believed that our prehistoric ancestors started walking on two legs as they moved from the trees into the open environment of the African savanna. A new study of chimpanzees, however, suggests that such may not have been the case. -
Synthetic "cellular glue" bonds tissues for better regenerative medicine
December 12, 2022Researchers have created a synthetic “cellular glue” that bonds cells together to different degrees. The technique could speed up wound healing, even in tissues that don’t heal well naturally, and eventually allow scientists to build better organs. -
New branch on Tree of Life contains organisms unlike any others on Earth
December 07, 2022Scientists have discovered a completely new branch on the tree of life. This “supergroup” contains an incredibly diverse range of predatory microbes that are extremely different genetically from any other form of life on Earth. -
Study shows that bats growl by channeling their inner death metal singer
November 30, 2022If you've ever listened to death metal rock or Mongolian throat singing, you'll be familiar with the growling vocals that are part of both. Well, bats make similar sounds, and it turns out that they do so in the same manner as human singers. -
Remote controlled worms can follow stop and go lights
November 28, 2022Scientists in Japan have demonstrated a technique that allows them to remotely control the movements of worms. By implanting light-sensitive proteins into the organisms, the team was able to make them move under green light and stop under UV.
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