Malaria-causing parasites drive mosquitoes to bite humans Mosquitoes infected with parasites that induce malaria tend to seek out humans more when the parasite is in the infectious stage, suggesting the parasite is controlling mosquitoes’ behavior. Researchers say that when Plasmodium falciparum is in the transmissible stage, it will drive mosquitoes to feed on human blood […]
Ancient feathered dinosaur had raccoon-like facial markings The feathered dinosaur Sinosauropteryx, which lived in northeast China between 133 million and 120 million years ago, had bandit-like markings on its face like a raccoon, as well as a banded tail and counter-shading. Researchers say the unique colour patterns may have helped the small dinosaur blend into […]
Saber-toothed cats were around longer than previously believed DNA analysis of a feline jawbone has revealed that a type of saber-toothed cat lived 28,000 years ago, around the same time as modern humans and much later than previously thought. The findings are helping researchers learn even more about Homotherium latidens, aka the scimitar cat, including […]
Ancient Easter Islanders’ ancestry charted through DNA tests Ancient Easter Island inhabitants had no contact with outside people before Europeans came in the early 1700s. “They are 100% completely Polynesian ancestry as far as we can see,” said study author Pontus Skoglund. The New York Times Soft tissues, stomach contents found in well-preserved salamander fossil […]
Varying levels of pesticides found in most honey samples collected worldwide Scientists have found varying levels of neonicotinoid pesticides in 75% of samples of honey from almost 200 areas around the world. Neonicotinoid pesticides are believed to cause such health issues in bees as impaired brain function and slowed colony growth. Nature New genus, species […]
Self-folding exoskeletons can help robots adapt for different missions Origami-like heat-activated exoskeletons can help robots adapt for varied missions by giving them the ability to roll, glide, walk and sail. Live Science Japan’s Akatsuki spacecraft collecting Venus climate data after rocky start After a difficult start, Japan has been collecting data about the harsh climate […]
Specially engineered antibody blocks most HIV strains in monkeys A potent tri-specific antibody that targets nearly 100% of HIV strains and prevents infection in monkeys has been developed by National Institutes of Health scientists and pharmaceutical firm Sanofi. The antibody combo bolsters the immune system and blocks development of the virus. BBC Lager beer yeast […]
Single-strand DNA robot developed to transport tiny cargo A tiny robot made from a strand of DNA that can transport cargo has been developed by researchers at the California Institute of Technology and is one of the first steps towards developing general-purpose DNA robots. New Scientist The mysterious seismic event following nuclear test Researchers around […]
Geneticists pan paper that claims to predict a person’s face from their DNA Reviewers and a co-author of a paper by genomics entrepreneur Craig Venter claim that it misrepresents the risks of public access to genome data. Nature Immune cells can trigger fungus in lungs to self-destruct Immune cells in the lungs release an enzyme […]
Molecules in larvae’s food determine whether honeybees are queens or workers Plant microRNA plays a key role in determining whether a female honeybee develops into a queen or a sterile worker. The tiny molecules are present in bee bread, a mixture of pollen and honey that is fed to larvae that become workers, and they […]