Biology

Uncovering the relationship between the structure of neural networks and their function—particularly how the brain’s connectivity influences its activity—is a fundamental question that underpins much of modern biology and neuroscience. Investigating this relationship directly in animal brains is particularly challenging because of the extraordinary complexity of neural connections, coupled with the invasive surgeries required to … Read more

Protein aggregation is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. These conditions are characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain, leading to cell damage, neuronal loss, and progressive cognitive and motor impairments. Unraveling the mechanisms behind this pathological transformation is crucial … Read more

For centuries, scientists have been striving to improve how plants use carbon dioxide (CO₂) during photosynthesis. This effort isn’t just about improving crop yields; it’s also part of broader goals to mitigate the effects of climate change. Among recent breakthroughs, hornworts—a seemingly modest and underappreciated group of plants—may unlock the next significant advancement in plant … Read more

Over 450 million years ago, life began a remarkable transformation as plants made the monumental leap from aquatic environments to dry land. This transition was pivotal in Earth’s history, reshaping ecosystems and paving the way for terrestrial life as we know it. Among the earliest pioneers were the ancestors of hornworts, a small and ancient … Read more

A team at the University of Calgary is making significant strides in understanding how plants adapt to environmental stresses, such as heat and drought, with potential applications in improving agricultural resilience in the face of climate change. Led by Dr. Sam Yeaman, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, the research team has … Read more

One of the most remarkable and industrious organisms inhabiting the oceans is the diminutive Prochlorococcus marinus, a single-celled microbe that plays a crucial role in the planet’s ecological balance. This tiny organism is smaller than a human red blood cell and forms part of a group called “picoplankton” due to its size. It thrives in … Read more

Some of the most productive apple-growing regions in the United States are currently grappling with significant challenges brought about by a changing climate. A study conducted by Washington State University (WSU) researchers sheds light on these emerging climate-related threats and their implications for apple production across the country. The research analyzed over four decades of … Read more

Biologists at Indiana University Bloomington have discovered that plant leaf surfaces are coated with a diverse range of RNA molecules. This surprising finding opens new possibilities in understanding how plants interact with the microbial communities that live on their surfaces. These interactions may significantly influence plant health and their environmental relationships. The research suggests that … Read more

Rice University bioengineers have made a groundbreaking advancement in synthetic biology with the development of a novel construction kit designed to build custom sense-and-respond circuits within human cells. This research, published in the prestigious journal Science, represents a major step forward in harnessing the power of synthetic biology for therapeutic applications, particularly for the treatment … Read more

An international team of paleobiologists, anthropologists, and behavioral scientists has recently made an intriguing discovery that bridges the gap between ancient human behavior and modern chimpanzee tool-use practices. Published in The Journal of Human Evolution, the team’s research highlights how the methods used by chimpanzees to select stones for nut-cracking might resemble the process once … Read more