Dolphins Communicate with 'Fountains of Pee'
(scientificamerican.com)
Humans typically consider peeing a private act. But for many animals, it’s a crucial way to share information—one that goes way beyond simply marking territory.
Humans typically consider peeing a private act. But for many animals, it’s a crucial way to share information—one that goes way beyond simply marking territory.
Century-old genetics mystery of Mendel's peas solved
(nature.com)
Researchers pinpoint the genes responsible for the final three pea traits studied by the famed citizen scientist.
Researchers pinpoint the genes responsible for the final three pea traits studied by the famed citizen scientist.
The Australians hardwired to be up through the night
(abc.net.au)
Abhinav Shrivastava is a rare natural night owl.
Abhinav Shrivastava is a rare natural night owl.
Why Some Animals Live for Only Days and Others Live for Thousands of Years
(scientificamerican.com)
Florida’s Department of Education has approved classroom use of videos that spout climate disinformation and distort climate science
Florida’s Department of Education has approved classroom use of videos that spout climate disinformation and distort climate science
AI Bests Virus Experts, Raising Biohazard Fears
(time.com)
A new study claims that AI models like ChatGPT and Claude now outperform PhD-level virologists in problem-solving in wet labs, where scientists analyze chemicals and biological material.
A new study claims that AI models like ChatGPT and Claude now outperform PhD-level virologists in problem-solving in wet labs, where scientists analyze chemicals and biological material.
I should have loved biology too
(nehalslearnings.substack.com)
About a year ago, I came across James Somers’ blog post, I should have loved biology. I began reading it and every sentence struck a chord: “I should have loved biology but found it a lifeless recitation of names”; “In textbooks, astonishing facts were presented without astonishment”; “In biology class, biology wasn’t presented as a quest for the secrets of life.
About a year ago, I came across James Somers’ blog post, I should have loved biology. I began reading it and every sentence struck a chord: “I should have loved biology but found it a lifeless recitation of names”; “In textbooks, astonishing facts were presented without astonishment”; “In biology class, biology wasn’t presented as a quest for the secrets of life.
Is SaaS a good business model for drug‑discovery companies?
(liorz.github.io)
In 2024 the Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper for their groundbreaking advances in computational protein design and protein‑structure prediction. Their achievements—most famously the AlphaFold2 model—have sparked a wave of enthusiasm for applying “foundation models” to biology.
In 2024 the Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper for their groundbreaking advances in computational protein design and protein‑structure prediction. Their achievements—most famously the AlphaFold2 model—have sparked a wave of enthusiasm for applying “foundation models” to biology.
How a Biofilm’s Strange Shape Emerges From Cellular Geometry
(quantamagazine.org)
Biofilms lead lives of liminality. Just a few cells thick, these layered communities of microbes anchor themselves to solid surfaces at interfaces — where rocks meet salt water in tide pools, between plants and dirt in root systems, or on the saliva-covered surface of your teeth. Amalgamations of single cells, biofilms grow and develop into unified life forms that can split back into their component cells under duress. Biofilms, then, are somehow both unicellular and multicellular — and simultaneously neither.
Biofilms lead lives of liminality. Just a few cells thick, these layered communities of microbes anchor themselves to solid surfaces at interfaces — where rocks meet salt water in tide pools, between plants and dirt in root systems, or on the saliva-covered surface of your teeth. Amalgamations of single cells, biofilms grow and develop into unified life forms that can split back into their component cells under duress. Biofilms, then, are somehow both unicellular and multicellular — and simultaneously neither.
Bird Went Extinct and Then Evolved into Existence Again
(vice.com)
The Aldabra white-throated rail, a flightless bird that lives on its namesake atoll in the Indian Ocean, doesn’t look like anything special at first glance. But the small bird has big bragging rights, because it has effectively evolved into existence twice after first going extinct some 136,000 years ago.
The Aldabra white-throated rail, a flightless bird that lives on its namesake atoll in the Indian Ocean, doesn’t look like anything special at first glance. But the small bird has big bragging rights, because it has effectively evolved into existence twice after first going extinct some 136,000 years ago.
Certain sunflower strains can be induced to form seeds without pollination
(phys.org)
Syngenta Biotechnology China-led research, with partners in the U.S., France, the UK, Chile, the Netherlands, Argentina, and across China, has discovered that sunflowers can form viable haploid seeds through parthenogenesis in the absence of pollination.
Syngenta Biotechnology China-led research, with partners in the U.S., France, the UK, Chile, the Netherlands, Argentina, and across China, has discovered that sunflowers can form viable haploid seeds through parthenogenesis in the absence of pollination.
Lichens can survive almost anything, and some might survive Mars
(arstechnica.com)
Whether anything ever lived on Mars is unknown. And the present environment, with harsh temperatures, intense radiation, and a sparse atmosphere, isn’t exactly propitious for life. Despite the red planet’s brutality, lichens that inhabit some of the harshest environments on Earth could possibly survive there.
Whether anything ever lived on Mars is unknown. And the present environment, with harsh temperatures, intense radiation, and a sparse atmosphere, isn’t exactly propitious for life. Despite the red planet’s brutality, lichens that inhabit some of the harshest environments on Earth could possibly survive there.
Chicken-or-egg evolutionary problem solved by missing link molecule
(cosmosmagazine.com)
An accidental discovery could provide clues to a chicken-or-egg question which has puzzled scientists for decades: what came first – oxygen production by photosynthesis or oxygen consumption by aerobic metabolism?
An accidental discovery could provide clues to a chicken-or-egg question which has puzzled scientists for decades: what came first – oxygen production by photosynthesis or oxygen consumption by aerobic metabolism?
Mapping the half-billion connections that allow mice to see
(engineering.princeton.edu)
After nine years of painstaking work, an international team of researchers on Wednesday published a precise map of the vision centers of a mouse brain, revealing the exquisite structures and functional systems of mammalian perception.
After nine years of painstaking work, an international team of researchers on Wednesday published a precise map of the vision centers of a mouse brain, revealing the exquisite structures and functional systems of mammalian perception.
Scientists discover new microbes in Earth's deep soil
(phys.org)
Scientists have discovered a new phylum of microbes in Earth's Critical Zone, an area of deep soil that restores water quality.
Scientists have discovered a new phylum of microbes in Earth's Critical Zone, an area of deep soil that restores water quality.
Differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells into neuron-like cells
(biomedcentral.com)
Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) constitute a promising alternative for central nervous system (CNS) cell therapy.
Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) constitute a promising alternative for central nervous system (CNS) cell therapy.
When Earth Was a Pale Green Dot
(nautil.us)
The planet’s first photosynthesizers dined on green light
The planet’s first photosynthesizers dined on green light
Scientists find 'strongest evidence yet' of life on distant planet
(bbc.com)
Scientists have found new but tentative evidence that a faraway world orbiting another star may be home to life.
Scientists have found new but tentative evidence that a faraway world orbiting another star may be home to life.
An experiment that turned back biological time
(nehalslearnings.substack.com)
While most articles about science focus on the impacts of breakthroughs or ground-breaking experiments, this essay aims to offer something different. My goal is to provide a genuine glimpse into the scientific process through the eyes of the scientists themselves. If you're not a researcher or haven't spent much time in a lab, consider this a window into what truly happens behind the scenes.
While most articles about science focus on the impacts of breakthroughs or ground-breaking experiments, this essay aims to offer something different. My goal is to provide a genuine glimpse into the scientific process through the eyes of the scientists themselves. If you're not a researcher or haven't spent much time in a lab, consider this a window into what truly happens behind the scenes.
Researchers uncover molecular connection between body fat and anxiety
(mcmaster.ca)
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at McMaster University have revealed a novel link between body fat (adipose tissue) and anxiety, shedding light on the intricate relationship between metabolism and mental health.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at McMaster University have revealed a novel link between body fat (adipose tissue) and anxiety, shedding light on the intricate relationship between metabolism and mental health.
AI-Designed Antivenoms: New Proteins to Block Deadly Snake Toxins
(beehiiv.com)
AI-designed proteins can block toxins contained in the venom of cobras and other snakes.
AI-designed proteins can block toxins contained in the venom of cobras and other snakes.
UK Supreme Court rules legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex
(bbc.co.uk)
The UK Supreme Court rules that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
The UK Supreme Court rules that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
Molecular clock: bacteria used oxygen long before widespread photosynthesis
(phys.org)
Molecular clock analysis shows bacteria used oxygen long before widespread photosynthesis
Molecular clock analysis shows bacteria used oxygen long before widespread photosynthesis
Darwin's children drew all over the “On the Origin of Species” manuscript (2014)
(theappendix.net)
Yesterday was Darwin Day, marking the 205th anniversary of the great naturalist’s birth on February 12, 1809. One of the great things about Darwin is that a huge amount of his work is digitized and freely available via sites like Darwin Online.
Yesterday was Darwin Day, marking the 205th anniversary of the great naturalist’s birth on February 12, 1809. One of the great things about Darwin is that a huge amount of his work is digitized and freely available via sites like Darwin Online.
Unique bacteria that survive by employing multicellular behavior
(phys.org)
In a recent study, researchers gained new insight into the lives of bacteria that survive by grouping together as if they were a multicellular organism.
In a recent study, researchers gained new insight into the lives of bacteria that survive by grouping together as if they were a multicellular organism.
'We Are Not Programmed to Die,' Says Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan
(wired.com)
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, the man of death. Although this does not sound like a good moniker, it is: Ramakrishnan is one of the world’s most eminent scientists in the fields of structural biology and cellular processes related to aging and death.
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, the man of death. Although this does not sound like a good moniker, it is: Ramakrishnan is one of the world’s most eminent scientists in the fields of structural biology and cellular processes related to aging and death.
A protein folding mystery solved: Study explains core packing fractions
(phys.org)
A study published in PRX Life sheds some light on this issue, and could lead to new ways to design proteins for drug therapeutics, novel biomaterials, and other applications.
A study published in PRX Life sheds some light on this issue, and could lead to new ways to design proteins for drug therapeutics, novel biomaterials, and other applications.
Calcium may have unlocked the origins of life's molecular asymmetry
(sciencedaily.com)
A new study led by researchers at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at Institute of Science Tokyo has uncovered a surprising role for calcium in shaping life's earliest molecular structures.
A new study led by researchers at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at Institute of Science Tokyo has uncovered a surprising role for calcium in shaping life's earliest molecular structures.
In the evolution of life, did metabolism come first?
(knowablemagazine.org)
Four billion years ago, our planet was water and barren rock. Out of this, some mighty complicated chemistry bubbled up, perhaps in a pond or a deep ocean vent. Eventually, that chemistry got wrapped in membranes, a primitive cell developed and life emerged from the ooze.
Four billion years ago, our planet was water and barren rock. Out of this, some mighty complicated chemistry bubbled up, perhaps in a pond or a deep ocean vent. Eventually, that chemistry got wrapped in membranes, a primitive cell developed and life emerged from the ooze.