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Categories: Biology: Genetics, Ecology: Research
Published New understanding of ancient genetic parasite may spur medical breakthroughs



Researchers have determined the structure of the most common material in our genomes. New treatments for autoimmune diseases, cancer and neurodegeneration may follow.
Published Enzymes can't tell artificial DNA from the real thing



Researchers have come one step closer to unlocking the potential of synthetic DNA, which could help scientists develop never-before-seen proteins in the lab.
Published Scientists unveil complete cell map of a whole mammalian brain



Researchers have created a complete cell atlas of a whole mammalian brain. This atlas serves as a map for the mouse brain, describing the type, location, and molecular information of more than 32 million cells and providing information on connectivity between these cells.
Published Wildfires also impact aquatic ecosystems



Researchers have shown that the effects of wildfires are not limited to terrestrial ecosystems. Aquatic ecosystems are also undergoing rapid changes. The study found that fire debris transforms lakes and other aquatic ecosystems, with implications for fisheries and water quality.
Published Cells move in groups differently than they do when alone



A protein that helps generate the force needed for single cells to move works differently in cells moving in groups, a new study shows.
Published Mice possess natural gene therapy system



A previously mysterious small RNA molecule in mice is found to play a crucial role in gene expression, and may be the first identified member of a new class of regulatory RNAs.
Published A rare enzyme role change with bacterial defense system assembly



Scientists have revealed a never-before-seen phenomenon in a protein: Alone, the enzyme processes DNA and RNA but, when bound to another protein as part of a defense system, interacts with a completely different type of compound to help bacteria commit suicide.
Published Underwater architects: The 'burrowing effect' of foraminifera on marine environments



Impact of single-cell organisms on sediment oxygen levels and bacterial diversity measured for the first time.
Published A new mechanism by which rotavirus makes you sick



Scientists report a new mechanism by which rotavirus induces diarrhea by interfering with the normal absorption of nutrients in the intestine.
Published Have researchers found the missing link that explains the mysterious phenomenon known as fairy circles?



Fairy circles, a nearly hexagonal pattern of bare-soil circular gaps in grasslands, initially observed in Namibia and later in other parts of the world, have fascinated and baffled scientists for years. New research suggests that all theories to date have overlooked the coupling between two robust mechanisms essential for understanding ecosystem response: phenotypic plasticity at the level of a single plant, and spatial self-organization in vegetation patterns at the level of a plant population.
Published Zika's shape-shifting machinery, and a possible vulnerability



Viruses have limited genetic material -- and few proteins -- so all the pieces must work extra hard. Zika is a great example; the virus only produces 10 proteins. Now researchers have shown how the virus does so much with so little and may have identified a therapeutic vulnerability.
Published Coral reefs in peril from record-breaking ocean heat



Record breaking marine heatwaves will cause devastating mass coral bleaching worldwide in the next few years, according to a coral reef scientist.
Published How immune cells recognize their enemies



In order for immune cells to do their job, they need to know against whom they should direct their attack. Research teams a have identified new details in this process.
Published New genes can arise from nothing



The complexity of living organisms is encoded within their genes, but where do these genes come from? Researchers resolved outstanding questions regarding the origin of small regulatory genes, and described a mechanism that creates their DNA palindromes. Under suitable circumstances, these palindromes evolve into microRNA genes.
Published Molecular fossils shed light on ancient life



Paleontologists are getting a glimpse at life over a billion years in the past based on chemical traces in ancient rocks and the genetics of living animals. New research combines geology and genetics, showing how changes in the early Earth prompted a shift in how animals eat.
Published Fungus-fighting protein could help overcome severe autoimmune disease and cancer



A protein in the immune system programmed to protect the body from fungal infections is also responsible for exacerbating the severity of certain autoimmune diseases such as irritable bowel disease (IBS), type 1 diabetes, eczema and other chronic disorders, new research has found. The discovery could pave the way for new and more effective drugs, without the nasty side effects of existing treatments. In addition to helping to manage severe autoimmune conditions, the breakthrough could also help treat all types of cancer.
Published Feathered friends can become unlikely helpers for tropical coral reefs facing climate change threat



Tropical coral reefs are among our most spectacular ecosystems, yet a rapidly warming planet threatens the future survival of many reefs. However, there may be hope for some tropical reefs in the form of feathered friends. A new study has found that the presence of seabirds on islands adjacent to tropical coral reefs can boost coral growth rates on those reefs by more than double.
Published Influx of water and salts propel immune cells through the body



Researchers have shown that an influx of water and ions into immune cells allows them to migrate to where they're needed in the body.
Published Greenhouse gases in oceans are altered by climate change impact on microbes



The ocean is a global life-support system, and climate change causes such as ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation, and nitrogen-deposition alter the delicate microbial population in oceans. The marine microbial community plays an important role in the production of greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide and methane. Scientists have explored the climate change impact on marine microbes. Their research helps raise awareness about climate change severity and the importance of ocean resources.
Published From infamy to ingenuity: Bacterial hijack mechanisms as advanced genetic tools



Researchers have uncovered the intricate molecular mechanism used by parasitic phytoplasma bacteria, known for inducing 'zombie-like' effects in plants.