Cicada season is dawning across the eastern US, this time with Brood XIV resurfacing for the first time since 2008. But as noisy and numerous as they…
Category: 5. Biology
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How hunting harriers home in on their prey
Owls, well adapted to hearing the exact location of prey, have something in common with an unrelated group of raptors — harriers.
A new study led by Canadian and Australian researchers has found that harriers across the world are able to keep a…
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Research advances on ‘displacing’ antibiotic resistance gene from bacteria
Birmingham scientists have identified essential genetic code for a method called plasmid curing, which aims to ‘displace’ antibiotic resistance genes from bacteria.
Plasmids, which are small, circular strands of DNA, play a crucial role in…
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Fruit and microbes boost biogas production and fermentation
Alfalfa is more than a protein-rich feed for livestock; it may also be an excellent source of biogas. This mixture of methane and other gases is produced when plants (or any organic matter) undergo anaerobic digestion.
This week in mSphere,…
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Promoting Well-being Behaviors Supports Mental Health
Simple everyday activities such as chatting with friends and spending time in nature are linked to better mental health, found a new study published in SSM- Mental Health.
Protecting mental health is a…
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Gene deletion in wheat lowers allergenic proteins while maintaining bread quality
Wheat is a major source of calories, carbohydrates and protein worldwide, and its distinctive gluten proteins are what gives bread and pasta dough texture and elasticity. But it also can cause autoimmune reactions such as celiac…
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Hidden for 40,000 Years: Scientists Discover “Odd” New Butterfly Species
A new butterfly species, Satyrium curiosolus, has been discovered in Alberta. Isolated for millennia, it shows unique traits and faces conservation risks due to low genetic diversity. In Canada’s Rocky Mountains, a modest yet remarkable…
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Shocking Discovery: Scientists Discover Organism That Act Like Living Electrical Wires
Scientists identified a new electrically conductive bacterium, Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, with potential applications in pollution cleanup and bioelectronics. Researchers have discovered a previously unknown species of bacteria capable of…
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Halo patterns around coral reefs may signal resilience
In coral reefs throughout the world, visually striking bands of bare sand surrounding reefs are often visible in satellite imagery but their cause remains a mystery.
One theory is fear. Parrotfish and other herbivores will leave a reef’s shelter…
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IFITMs exhibit antiviral activity against Chikungunya and Zika virus infection via the alteration of TLRs and RLRs signaling pathways
CHIKV is an arbovirus transmitted mainly by Aedes spp. during bite on human skin23. Despite being a global health risk, no specific antiviral drugs and vaccines against the virus are available. However, several molecules have been studied as…
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