The study of Mesozoic birds and the dinosaur-bird transition is one of the most exciting and vigorous fields in vertebrate paleontology today. A newly described bird from the Jehol Biota of northeast China suggests that scientists have only tapped a small proportion of the birds and dinosaurs that were living at that time, and that [...]
Continue reading about New bird fossil hints at more undiscovered Chinese treasures
The use of repetitive anesthesia with isoflurane (one of the most common anesthetics by inhalation) increases the risk of developing changes similar to those observed in AD brains in mice with mutations of the amyloid precursor protein.
That bracing morning shower and soothing bedtime soak in the tub are potentially important but until now unrecognized sources of the hormones, antibiotics, and other pharmaceuticals that pollute the environment, scientists have reported.
The brains of males and females, and how they use them, may be far more different than previously thought, at least in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, according to new research.
Continue reading about ‘Doublesex’ gene key to determining fruit fly gender
Exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos — which is banned for use in US households but is still widely used throughout the agricultural industry — is associated with early childhood developmental delays.
Continue reading about Pesticide chlorpyrifos linked to childhood developmental delays
Risk-taking peaks in adolescence, according to scientists in the UK. In a new study, children, adolescents and adults aged 9-35 years chose between risky and safe options in a computer gambling game. Scientists found that the teenagers took the most risks compared with the other groups, with the most risky behaviour seen in 14-year olds.
A reliable method for producing plants that carry genetic material from only one of their parents has been discovered by plant biologists. The technique could dramatically speed up the breeding of crop plants for desirable traits.
Continue reading about Plant breeding breakthrough: Offspring with genes from only one parent
Researchers can now show that cells that grow forever get this capacity through gradual changes in the expression of genes that govern the repair of DNA damage and regulate growth and cell death. The research also shows that activation of the enzyme complex telomerase, which is necessary for unlimited growth, occurs late in this process.
Continue reading about New findings about how cells achieve eternal life
Despite reductions in brain size, domestication has not reduced the ability of guinea pigs to navigate a water maze. Researchers tested domesticated and wild animals (”cavies”) and found that they both performed well at the test, with the domestic animals actually being slightly superior.
Continue reading about Guinea pigs not ‘dumbed down’ by domestication
Recently, brain researchers have gained a powerful new way to troubleshoot neural circuits associated with depression, Parkinson’s disease and other conditions in small animals such as rats. They use an optogenetics technology that precisely turns select brain cells on or off with flashes of light. Although useful, the optogenetics tool set has been limited. Researchers [...]
Continue reading about Versatility of optogenetics brain-research technique vastly expanded