Showing 20 articles starting at article 541
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Categories: Biology: Biotechnology, Offbeat: Earth and Climate
Published Asexual propagation of crop plants gets closer
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source When the female gametes in plants become fertilized, a signal from the sperm activates cell division, leading to the formation of new plant seeds. This activation can also be deliberately triggered without fertilization, as researchers have shown. Their findings open up new avenues for the asexual propagation of crop plants.
Published Ancient retroviruses played a key role in the evolution of vertebrate brains
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers report that ancient viruses may be to thank for myelin -- and, by extension, our large, complex brains. The team found that a retrovirus-derived genetic element or 'retrotransposon' is essential for myelin production in mammals, amphibians, and fish. The gene sequence, which they dubbed 'RetroMyelin,' is likely a result of ancient viral infection, and comparisons of RetroMyelin in mammals, amphibians, and fish suggest that retroviral infection and genome-invasion events occurred separately in each of these groups.
Published Team creates novel rabies viral vectors for neural circuit mapping
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A research team has created 20 new recombinant rabies viral vectors for neural circuit mapping that offer a range of significant advantages over existing tools, including the ability to detect microstructural changes in models of aging and Alzheimer's disease brain neurons.
Published Key genes linked to DNA damage and human disease uncovered
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists unveil 145 genes vital for genome health, and possible strategies to curb progression of human genomic disorders.
Published Researchers uncover mechanisms behind enigmatic shapes of nuclei
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source White blood cells known as neutrophils feature a nucleus that is structured strikingly different than most nuclei. These unique shapes permit neutrophils to travel all over the body to combat invading pathogens. Scientists have now deciphered the shapeshifting puzzle of the neutrophil nucleus.
Published Microscopy: Overcoming the traditional resolution limit for the fast co-tracking of molecules
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed an innovative method to simultaneously track rapid dynamic processes of multiple molecules at the molecular scale.
Published Pesticides to help protect seeds can adversely affect earthworms' health
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source While pesticides protect crops from hungry animals, pesky insects, or even microbial infections, they also impact other vital organisms, including bees and earthworms. And today, research reveals that worms are affected by the relatively small amounts of chemicals that can leach out of pesticide-treated seeds. Exposure to nonlethal amounts of these insecticides and fungicides resulted in poor weight gain and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in the worms.
Published Female lab mice behave very differently when placed outdoors
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study has examined social behavior of lab mice in large outdoor enclosures.
Published By growing animal cells in rice grains, scientists dish up hybrid food
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source From lab-grown chicken to cricket-derived protein, these innovative alternatives offer hope for a planet struggling with the environmental and ethical impacts of industrial agriculture. Now, scientists add a new recipe to the list -- cultured beef rice -- by growing animal muscle and fat cells inside rice grains. The method results in a nutritious and flavorful hybrid food that, once commercialized, could offer a more affordable protein alternative with a smaller carbon footprint.
Published CRISPR-copies: New tool accelerates and optimizes genome editing
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers are further improving CRISPR's versatility to engineer new grasses and yeasts for biochemical production.
Published Desert ants: The magnetic field calibrates the navigation system
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Desert ants find their way during an early learning phase with the help of the Earth's magnetic field. The associated learning process leaves clear traces in their nervous system.
Published Low-cost microbe can speed biological discovery
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have created a new version of a microbe to compete economically with E. coli -- a bacteria commonly used as a research tool due to its ability to synthesize proteins -- to conduct low-cost and scalable synthetic biological experiments.
Published New trial highlights incremental progress towards a cure for HIV-1
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new clinical trial suggests that a combination of the drug vorinostat and immunotherapy can coax HIV-infected cells out of latency and attack them. The findings highlight how close -- yet still far -- researchers have come to developing a cure for HIV-1.
Published Sandalwood oil by-product prevents prostate cancer development in mice
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Sandalwood oil has been used worldwide for centuries. Now, a study is the first to demonstrate in vivo the chemo-preventive properties of a by-product of the oil in a mouse model. Results show administering alpha-santalol reduced visible prostate tumors, protected the normal tissue, and delayed progression from a precancerous condition to a high-grade form of cancer. These findings are significant because mortality in prostate cancer patients is mainly attributable to advanced stages of the disease.
Published Nutrients direct intestinal stem cell function and affect aging
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The capacity of intestinal stem cells to maintain cellular balance in the gut decreases upon aging. Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of action between the nutrient adaptation of intestinal stem cells and aging. The finding may make a difference when seeking ways to maintain the functional capacity of the aging gut.
Published 3D ice printing can create artificial blood vessels in engineered tissue
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new 3D printing method uses ice to build a template for artificial blood vessels in engineered tissue. Researchers hope the vessels could eventually be used in artificial organ transplants or drug testing.
Published How ancient sea creatures can inform soft robotics
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Fossils of a marine animal that lived 500 million years ago, combined with computer simulations, informed the design of a new soft robot.
Published Researchers discover new cell that remembers allergies
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery: a new cell that remembers allergies.
Published New research uncovers biological drivers of heart disease risk
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Over the past 15 years, researchers have identified hundreds of regions in the human genome associated with heart attack risk. However, researchers lack efficient ways to explore how these genetic variants are molecularly connected to cardiovascular disease, limiting efforts to develop therapeutics. To streamline analysis of hundreds of genetic variants associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), a team of researchers combined multiple sequencing and experimental techniques to map the relationship between known CAD variants and the biological pathways they impact.
Published New approach to tackling bacterial infections identified
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have identified a new approach to controlling bacterial infections. The team found a way to turn on a vital bacterial defense mechanism to fight and manage bacterial infections. The defense system, called cyclic oligonucleotide-based antiphage signaling system (CBASS), is a natural mechanism used by certain bacteria to protect themselves from viral attacks. Bacteria self-destruct as a means to prevent the spread of virus to other bacterial cells in the population.