A newly discovered velvet worm species is the first ever found in South Africa’s arid Karoo region. In March 2022, Stellenbosch University student Rohan Barnard was exploring a farm in the Swartberg Mountains between Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn,…
Category: 5. Biology
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Discovery of a Lifetime: Student Discovers Ancient “Living Fossil” Underneath Rock
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New Chemical Kills 95% of Termites and Can’t Harm Humans
A new termite treatment blocks molting, spreads through colonies, and kills up to 95% when combined with a chemical lure. Drywood termites, which live hidden inside wooden structures, molt about seven times during their lives. Researchers at UC…
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Satellite tracking of 12,000 marine animals reveals ocean giants are in trouble
A sweeping new study is helping pinpoint where whales, sharks, turtles, and other ocean giants need the most protection and where current efforts fall short.
Led by Ana Sequeira of Australian National University and supported by the United…
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Whales blow bubble rings—And they might be talking to us
A team of scientists from the SETI Institute and the University of California at Davis documented, for the first time, humpback whales producing large bubble rings, like a human smoker blowing smoke rings, during friendly interactions with…
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Ancient Protein Breaks Biological Rules by Working in a Mirror World
A molecular reinterpretation of Alice in Wonderland reveals an ancient protein with a surprising function. In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have found that an ancient protein still works even when its molecular structure is flipped like…
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Extreme weather is wiping out amphibians—Here’s where it’s worst
The fire salamander native to Europe is one of many species that depend on sufficient moisture. Credit: Daniel Rosengren/Frankfurt Zoological Society Habitat loss, diseases, pollution, and climate change are already…
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Scientists find immune molecule that supercharges plant growth
Within the animal kingdom, a naturally produced molecule known as itaconate serves a prominent role in the immune system as a defensive agent against viruses and inflammation. Itaconate is classified as a metabolite, a natural compound that…
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Delayed rewards weaken human goal directed actions
Participants completed an action-outcome or instrumental task in which they played the role of stockbrokers, making investments in stocks from two fictitious companies (“Initech” and “Globex”) in two different cities or contexts (Paris…
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PCM1 orchestrates centrosomal and flagellar protein transport to promote sperm maturation
Inclusion of clinical patients and testicular biopsy collection
Clinical patients with NOA, characterized by severe spermatogenic arrest and no testicular spermatids and epididymal sperm, were identified by visual microscopy and a…
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Individuals with methamphetamine use disorder show reduced directed exploration and learning rates independent of an aversive interoceptive state induction
To acquire a comprehensive clinical phenotype, participants completed several cognitive and clinical scales. Compared to HCs, the MUD group showed elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression, higher impulsivity, reduced cognitive performance…
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