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Categories: Biology: Developmental, Ecology: Invasive Species
Published Artificial human skin paves the way to new skin cancer therapy


In a new study, researchers have managed to curb skin cancer. The study was conducted on artificial human skin.
Published Pioneering approach advances study of CTCF protein in transcription biology


Scientists used the auxin-inducible degron 2 system on CTCF, bringing the novel approach to bear on a fundamental protein.
Published Scientists discover the evolutionary secret behind different animal life cycles


Researchers uncover for the first time the mechanism that likely explains how embryos form either a larva or a miniature version of the adult.
Published Actin affects the spread of cancer in several ways


The transport of molecules along the cell's skeleton plays a role in cancer metastasis, researchers show.
Published How cells prevent harmful extra DNA copies


A protein that prepares DNA for replication also prevents the replication process from running out of control, according to a new study. The work solves a mystery that has long puzzled biologists.
Published Botany: Chloroplast from the father


Under cold conditions, not only the mother plant but also the father plant can pass on its chloroplasts to the offspring.
Published Genome editing procedures optimized


Scientists succeed in boosting the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 and related methods and modifying initially inaccessible DNA sequences. They fine-tuned these tools to enable effective genetic screening for modelling specific gene mutations.
Published Environment law fails to protect threatened species in Australia


Federal environmental laws are failing to mitigate against Australia's extinction crisis, according to new research.
Published New discovery: Endangered Amami rabbit disperses seeds for non-photosynthetic plant


Seed dispersal is an essential process for the evolution and ecology of terrestrial plants, making discoveries of uncommon seed dispersal agents particularly interesting. Scientists now reveal that the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) is a major seed dispersal agent for the non-photosynthetic plant Balanophora yuwanensis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first known instance of rabbits serving as seed dispersal agents in Asia.
Published More effective protected areas needed to halt biodiversity loss


Protected natural areas of the UK are struggling to halt declines in insects and spiders that have occurred over the past 30 years, according to a new study.
Published Avian flu could decimate Australian black swans


The unique genetics of the Australian black swan leaves the species vulnerable to viral illnesses such as avian flu, new research has revealed.
Published New genetic disorder that causes susceptibility to opportunistic infections


Immunogeneticists have discovered a new genetic disorder that causes immunodeficiency and profound susceptibility to opportunistic infections including a life-threatening fungal pneumonia.
Published DNA from domesticated chickens is tainting genomes of wild red junglefowl, study finds


The red junglefowl -- the wild ancestor of the chicken -- is losing its genetic diversity by interbreeding with domesticated birds, according to a new study.
Published An Old Yellow Enzyme helps algae combat photooxidative stress


Old Yellow Enzymes (OYEs) were discovered in the 1930s and have been the subject of much research ever since. This is because these biocatalysts -- coloured yellow by an auxiliary molecule -- are capable of performing reactions that are very valuable for the chemical industry, such as producing drug precursors or fragrances. Even though OYEs are found in many organisms, their natural role for these organisms has hardly been understood so far -- possibly because the research focus has been on their biotechnological application. Researchers have now shown that an OYE of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is vital for this plant microorganism to protect itself from photooxidative stress.
Published New study decodes one of the living world's fastest cell movements



Heliozoan axopodia are important for their motility. However, the underlying mechanism of their axopodial contraction has remained ambiguous. Recently, researchers have reported that microtubules are simultaneously cleaved at multiple sites, allowing the radiating axopodia in a heliozoan, Raphidocystis contractilis, to disappear almost instantly. They have now identified the gene set and proteins involved in this microtubule disruption. This research can help develop a method to detect water pollution and evaluate the efficacy of new anticancer drugs.
Published New modelling shows how interrupted flows in Australia's Murray River endanger frogs


Flooding in Australia's Murray-Darling Basin is creating ideal breeding conditions for many native species that have evolved to take advantage of temporary flood conditions. Scientists have now developed virtual models of the Murray River to reveal a crucial link between natural flooding and the extinction risk of endangered southern bell frogs (Litoria raniformis; also known as growling grass frogs). Southern bell frogs are one of Australia's 100 Priority Threatened Species. This endangered frog breeds during spring and summer when water levels increase in their wetlands. However, the natural flooding patterns in Australia's largest river system have been negatively impacted by expansive river regulation that in some years, sees up to 60% of river water extracted for human use.
Published Modified CRISPR-based enzymes improve the prospect of inserting entire genes into the genome to overcome diverse disease-causing mutations



Many genetic diseases are caused by diverse mutations spread across an entire gene, and designing genome editing approaches for each patient's mutation would be impractical and costly.
Published Climate change presents a mismatch for songbirds' breeding season



Climate change presents a mismatch for some breeding songbirds, finds a new study using a decade of nestbox data.
Published Noise from urban environments affects the color of songbirds' beaks


A study examined the effects of anthropogenic noise on cognition, beak color, and growth in the zebra finch. Researchers first tested adult zebra finches on a battery of cognition assays while they were exposed to playbacks of urban noise versus birds tested without noise. Urban noises caused the birds to take longer to learn a novel foraging task and to learn an association-learning task. Urban noise exposure also resulted in treated males to develop less bright beak coloration, and females developed beaks with brighter orange coloration, respectively, than untreated birds. Findings suggest that urban noise exposure may affect morphological traits, such as beak color, which influence social interactions and mate choice.
Published Landscaping for drought: We're doing it wrong



Despite recent, torrential rains, most of Southern California remains in a drought. Accordingly, many residents plant trees prized for drought tolerance, but a new study shows that these trees lose this tolerance once they're watered.