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Published

Researchers make breakthrough in understanding species abundance      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The key finding was that temperature and genome size, not body size, had the greatest influence on the maximum population growth rate of the diatoms. Yet body size still mattered in colder latitudes, conserving Bermann's Rule.

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

Microscopy technique 'paves way' for improving understanding of cellular functions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have developed a new way of counting labelled proteins in living cells that could become a standard and valuable tool in the field of biomedical research.

Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Recurrent wheezing in children linked to 'silent' viral infections      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Nearly a quarter of children with recurrent wheezing have 'silent' lung infections that would be better treated with antiviral medications than commonly prescribed steroids that can carry lifelong side effects, new research reveals.

Biology: Botany Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Asthma emergencies spike when allergenic pollen blooms      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study that tracks how many asthma-related emergency room visits result from pollen in metropolitan areas highlights the importance of knowing local plants and the need for developing science-based pollen forecasts.

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

Viral defense protein speeds up female stem cell production      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A viral defense mechanism can be used to accelerate the creation of female stem cell lines in mice. The findings can boost efforts in medical research, drug testing, and regenerative therapies, particularly for women and individuals with two X chromosomes.

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

Do smells prime our gut to fight off infection?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In nematodes and humans, mitochondrial stress in the nervous system initiates a whole-body response that is most pronounced in the gut. A recent study showed that in nematodes, the odor of a pathogen triggers the nervous system to broadcast this response to the rest of the organism, prepping mitochondria in intestinal cells to fight a bacterial infection. Humans, too, may be able to sense pathogenic odors that prepare the gut for an infection.

Geoscience: Environmental Issues Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: General
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When mammoths roamed Vancouver Island      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Mammoths, the massive pre-historic ice age cousins of the modern-day elephant, have always been understood to have inhabited parts of British Columbia, but the question of when has always been a bit woolly. Now, a new study has given scientists the clearest picture yet when the giant mammals roamed Vancouver Island.

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

Cocaine discovery could pave way for treatment for substance abuse      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Cocaine binds to a specific transporter in the brain that is responsible for regulating dopamine levels. Researchers have studied and described the process, producing new knowledge that may bring us a step closer to designing a drug for cocaine abuse.

Biology: Microbiology
Published

Bacterial gut diversity improves the athletic performance of racehorses      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The composition of gut bacteria of Thoroughbred racehorses at one-month-old can predict their future athletic performance, according to a new study. Foals with lower bacterial diversity at 28 days old also had a significantly increased risk of respiratory disease later in life.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Zoology Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Fishing is causing frightened fish to flee when they should flirt      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Populations of squaretail grouper face an uncertain future as new research shows fishing that targets their spawning sites is causing males to be repeatedly scared away from their territories during their short mating meet-ups. By fleeing for safety, individuals are losing valuable time to catch the eye and court female fish.

Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Social rank may determine if animals live fast, die young      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Social rank may determine whether animals prioritize immediate fitness over long-term health, according to a study. Researchers studied macaques on a Thai island and found that the animals' unusual habit of washing their food is in fact based on social rank. Dominant monkeys quickly brush their food on their fur before eating it, along with mouthfuls of tooth-degrading sand, while lower-ranked monkeys obsessively wash their food in the surf. Citing the disposable soma hypothesis, the researchers suggest that high-ranking macaques are looking to quickly consume energy to mate and fend off challengers. But food-washing monkeys may be preserving their long-term health to produce more offspring over time. The findings could shed light on how the wear observed in the fossilized teeth of early humans relates to social structure.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Nasal microbiome: Depriving multi-resistant 'bugs' of iron      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Whether dangerous staphylococci survive in the nose depends on what other bacteria are present -- and how they obtain iron.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Biology: Zoology Ecology: Nature Environmental: Biodiversity
Published

Elephants on the move: Mapping connections across African landscapes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Elephant conservation is a major priority in southern Africa, but habitat loss and urbanization mean the far-ranging pachyderms are increasingly restricted to protected areas like game reserves. The risk? Contained populations could become genetically isolated over time, making elephants more vulnerable to disease and environmental change.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Ketogenic Diet may reduce friendly gut bacteria and raise cholesterol levels      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A study reveals that ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets can increase cholesterol levels and reduce beneficial gut bacteria, specifically Bifidobacterium.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Botany Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology
Published

Study analyzes potato-pathogen 'arms race' after Irish famine      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers reveal more about the tit-for-tat evolutionary changes occurring in both potato plants and the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Honey added to yogurt supports probiotic cultures for digestive health      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

If you enjoy a bowl of plain yogurt in the morning, adding a spoonful of honey is a delicious way to sweeten your favorite breakfast food. It also supports the probiotic cultures in the popular fermented dairy product, according to two new studies.