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 […]
Gut microbes change seasonally in Tanzania’s Hadza people The gut microbes of a tribe of hunter-gatherers in Tanzania change along with the seasons. Researchers collected stool samples from the Hadza and found that not only is their gut microbiome diverse, it changes along with the Hadza diet, which consists of meat and tubers during the […]
Cloud bands like those around Neptune observed on brown dwarfs Cloud bands similar to those around Neptune have been detected surrounding brown dwarfs, massive objects that aren’t quite planets and didn’t make the cut as stars. This is the first time cloud bands have been found in brown dwarf atmospheres. Space.com Stimulating perirhinal cortex causes […]
CRISPR edits genes in pigs to make organs safer for transplants Researchers have inactivated porcine endogenous retroviruses using CRISPR-Cas9, paving the way for potentially safer pig-to-human transplants. After 25 retroviruses were edited out of the pig DNA, the genetic material was added to pig eggs, which were implanted in sows who gave birth to piglets […]
First look at inner workings of water vortexes The links, twists and writhes of water vortexes and how they all work together have been observed for the first time. The findings could help researchers better understand larger vortexes, such as tornadoes and other storms. New Scientist Well-preserved armored dinosaur hid from predators with countershading The […]
Genetic study offers new clues about tardigrades Tardigrades make very specific proteins that help their cells keep their shape even when there is no water present, helping explain why the tiny creatures can survive desiccation. The study also suggests that tardigrades, despite looking more like an arthropod, are closer relatives of nematodes. New Scientist Increased […]
Cows may help researchers develop vaccine for HIV Cows’ immune systems show an extraordinary ability to neutralize HIV and may help researchers develop a vaccine for humans. Scientists say cows’ unique digestive system may play a role in their ability to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies in response to HIV in just a few weeks. BBC […]
Ravens can pre-plan, barter for rewards Ravens have the cognitive ability to plan ahead and barter for rewards. Researchers tested ravens in a series of experiments and found they performed better at those tasks than great apes or human children. National Geographic An ordinary star Our sun is just an ordinary star when compared with […]