The complete asexuality of a widespread fungus-gardening ant, the only ant species in the world known to have dispensed with males entirely, has recently been confirmed.
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Neuroscientists have forged an unlikely molecular union as part of their fight against diseases of the brain and nervous system, bringing together the herpes virus and a molecule known as Sleeping Beauty to improve gene therapy. The work has allowed scientists to reach a long-sought goal: shuttling into brain cells a relatively large gene that [...]
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Many people dream of skiing off piste in deep virgin snow. But their dream would rapidly turn into a nightmare if they were to set off a slab avalanche. Researchers have now developed a remote triggering system for avalanche airbags.
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Scientists have discovered a new molecular mechanism that permits the guidance of visual nerves towards the brain.
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Software agents that play devil’s advocate and quarrel with each other may not sound like something you would want in your computer. But, say a team of researchers, argumentative agents promise faster, cheaper and more efficient online transactions.
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A new study analyzes the calorie content of 18 side dishes and entrees from national sit-down chain restaurants, 11 side dishes and entrees from national fast food restaurants and 10 frozen meals purchased from supermarkets. Researchers compared their results to the calorie content information provided to the public by the restaurants and food companies.
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The impact on levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere by the decaying remains of a group of marine creatures that includes starfish and sea urchin has been significantly underestimated.
How an individual vomeronasal sensory neuron (VSN) transduces chemical signals into electrical signals has been a mystery. Researchers now show that chloride acts as a major amplifier for signal transduction in mouse VSNs, increasing the responsiveness to pheromones or odorants.
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Charles Darwin spent eight years studying barnacles and their genitalia. In much less time than that, modern-day evolutionary biologists have confirmed one of Darwin’s theories: that genitalia complexities in some male species have developed because they assist the male in “holding her securely.”
Scientists have identified a gene underlying a disease that causes temporary paralysis of skeletal muscle. The finding, they say, illustrates how investigations of rare genetic diseases can drive insights into more common ones.
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