Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology
Published

LSH genes associated with defining the shapes of stems, flowers and leaves required for N-fixing root nodules      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The developmental regulators that confer the identity of N-fixing root nodules belong to a transcription factor family (LSH) more commonly associated with defining the shapes of stems, flowers and leaves.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Microbial research unravels a global nitrogen mystery      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research findings show that different AOM lineages employ different regulatory strategies for ammonia or urea utilization, thereby minimizing direct competition with one another and allowing for coexistence.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Shining a new light on the tug-of-war between virus and host      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The interplay between ribonucleic acid (RNA) and proteins is not only important for maintaining cellular homeostasis but is also at the center of the tug-of-war between virus and host. Until now, there has been no method to globally map direct interactions of individual RNA regions in an unbiased fashion without the need for genetic modification of the target RNA or cell. Researchers have now developed a breakthrough tool that overcomes this limitation.

Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Climate change threatens older elephants most, jeopardizing African elephants' future      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A collaborative team of researchers has conducted first-of-its kind research into how global climate change affects African elephants. The work shows that older elephants will have markedly decreased chances of survival, which will not only drastically reduce the species' overall ability to weather the changing climate but will send ripple effects throughout the surrounding landscape. The team has also modeled possible mitigation scenarios.

Computer Science: General Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Bringing together real-world sensors and VR to improve building maintenance      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new system that brings together real-world sensing and virtual reality would make it easier for building maintenance personnel to identify and fix issues in commercial buildings that are in operation.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Ecology: General Ecology: Research Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Earth Science Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Discovery of a third RNA virus linage in extreme environments Jan 17, 2024      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research group has discovered a novel RNA viral genome from microbes inhabiting a high-temperature acidic hot spring. Their study shows that RNA viruses can live in high-temperature environments (70-80 degrees Celsius), where no RNA viruses have been observed before. In addition to the two known RNA virus kingdoms, a third kingdom may exist.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Groundbreaking genome editing tools unlock new possibilities for precision medicine      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of researchers has achieved a major breakthrough in genome editing technology. They've developed a cutting-edge method that combines the power of designer-recombinases with programmable DNA-binding domains to create precise and adaptable genome editing tools.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Fungal-rich soil may improve green roofs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Green roofs have become increasingly popular thanks to their benefits related to climate adaptation, mitigation, and urban biodiversity management. But, in the U.S., green roofs are typically planted with non-native plants in sterile soils, and their effectiveness declines over time. A new study finds that managing green roof soil microbes boosts healthy urban soil development, which is a methodology that could be applied to support climate resilience in cities.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Environmental: General Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

How seahorse-like toxins kill insects      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Insect-killing bacteria typically release toxins to slay their hosts. The bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens, for example, pumps insect larvae full of the lethal 'Makes caterpillars floppy 1' (Mcf1) toxin, leading them to first become droopy and then dead. However, it has so far been a mystery how Mcf1 unfolds its devastating effect. Researchers successfully used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and biochemical assays to characterize the first-ever Mcf1 structure, allowing them to propose a molecular mechanism of the toxin's action. Understanding how bacterial toxins perform their deadly task in such detail is very useful for engineering novel biopesticides, thereby reducing the use of barely specific chemical agents with harmful side effects for the ecosystem.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Engineering viruses to kill deadly pathogens      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent and growing global crisis. Researchers are exploring phages, viruses that infect bacteria, as a possible solution. In the new study, researchers successfully modified DNA from four types of phages to kill a deadly pathogen. The process can also be used to produce more phage variants for further exploration.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

When and how immune cells decide to form pathogen memories      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

During infection, reversible switch permits flexible formation of memory T cells, long-lived blood cells that can remember pathogen encounters and respond upon reinfection.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Using computers to design proteins allows researchers to make tunable hydrogels that can form both inside and outside of cells      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research demonstrates a new class of hydrogels that can form not just outside cells, but also inside of them. These hydrogels exhibited similar mechanical properties both inside and outside of cells, providing researchers with a new tool to group proteins together inside of cells.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Zoology Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Scientists pinpoint growth of brain's cerebellum as key to evolution of bird flight      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Evolutionary biologists report they have combined PET scans of modern pigeons along with studies of dinosaur fossils to help answer an enduring question in biology: How did the brains of birds evolve to enable them to fly?

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Trees Environmental: General
Published

Asparagus and orchids are more similar than you think      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

How is a beech leaf constructed? What determines the appearance of an asparagus? A new 'encyclopaedia' helps us learn more about the building blocks of plants. The encyclopaedia, probably the largest of its kind, could be used to improve targeted plant breeding efforts, to make them both more climate-resilient and more easily digestible.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Ecology: Endangered Species Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

Using CRISPR technology, researchers succeed in growing tomatoes that consume less water without compromising yield      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have succeeded in cultivating and characterizing tomato varieties with higher water use efficiency without compromising yield. The researchers, employing CRISPR genetic editing technology, were able to grow tomatoes that consume less water while preserving yield, quality, and taste.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Zoology Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Poultry scientists develop 3D anatomy technique to learn more about chicken vision      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Poultry scientists are unraveling the complexities of bird brains and finding less expensive ways to do it. The scientists mapped the intricate neurological pathways that control vision in chickens with detailed 3D models of the connections between the eyes and four regions of the brain.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Tomato juice's antimicrobial properties can kill salmonella      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research shows that tomato juice can kill Salmonella Typhi and other bacteria that can harm people's digestive and urinary tract health.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Gut microbiota influence severity of respiratory viral infection      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The composition of microbiota found in the gut influences how susceptible mice are to respiratory virus infections and the severity of these infections.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

'Genomic time machine' reveals secrets of our DNA      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers reveal a novel method to uncover bits of our genetic blueprint that come from ancient genetic parasites, offering fresh insights into human evolution and health.