New research reveals how repeated genetic changes in Hibiscus flowers have led to the loss of visually striking bullseye patterns despite their advantage in attracting pollinators like bumblebees.
Scientists at the Sainsbury Laboratory at the…
Category: 5. Biology
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This gene variant contributed to the dietary and physiological evolution of modern humans
Two of the traits that set modern humans apart from non-human primates are taller stature and a higher basal metabolic rate. Publishing in the Cell Press journal Cell Genomics on May 21, researchers have identified a genetic variant that…
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Toothache from eating something cold? Blame these ancient fish
Anyone who has ever squirmed through a dental cleaning can tell you how sensitive teeth can be. This sensitivity gives important feedback about temperature, pressure — and yes, pain — as we bite and chew our food. However, the sensitive parts…
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A new technology for extending the shelf life of produce
We’ve all felt the sting of guilt when fruit and vegetables go bad before we could eat them. Now, researchers from MIT and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have shown they can extend the shelf life of harvested…
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Hand2: positional code that allows axolotls to regrow limbs found
With its fascinating ability to regrow entire limbs and internal organs, the Mexican axolotl is the ideal model for studying regeneration. Scientists from the lab of Elly Tanaka at IMBA now found a factor that tells cells which part of the arm to…
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Live view: Stress-induced changes in generations of cancer cells
Cancer cells respond to stress with greater diversity. Drugs that affect DNA replication, or radiation that causes direct DNA damage, lead to increasingly diverse offspring over multiple cell generations. This increases the tumor’s genetic…
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Scientists reveal how energy is delivered into the cells major ‘shipping port’
A team of scientists has answered a long-standing question in cell biology, uncovering how the cell’s main energy currency, ATP, is transported into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Disrupted energy transport could affect diseases such as type 2…
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Scientists Identify Genetic Region Responsible for Prickle-Free Blackberry Canes
Prickle-free blackberry (Rubus subgenus Rubus) canes are strongly preferred by growers due to food and worker safety concerns and damage to fruit from mechanical injury by prickles.
Johns et al. identified a single locus controlling…
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An Analgesic Without the Pitfalls of Opioids
Chronic pain affects more than 50 million Americans and remains one of the most difficult conditions to treat safely and effectively. While opioids have long been a cornerstone of pain management, their use…
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Plants can hear tiny wing flaps of pollinators
Our planet runs on pollinators. Without bees, moths, weevils, and more zooming…
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