Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Unlocking Safflower's Secrets: Scientists Identify Key Gene in Flavonoid Glycoside Biosynthesis
Safflower is widely valued for its flavonoid glycosides, particularly for cardiovascular therapeutics and natural dyes. However, the biosynthetic mechanism of these bioactive compounds has long remained elusive.
Mapping the Future of Ginseng: New SNP Chip Speeds Up Breeding
A team of researchers has developed the first high-resolution genetic map and a versatile SNP chip for Panax ginseng, a tetraploid medicinal plant with complex genomic architecture. These tools are...
Scutellarin From Tomatoes? Vacuum Method Powers Synthetic Biology in Fruit
Researchers have developed an improved vacuum-infiltration system that overcomes long-standing barriers in tomato genetic engineering. This innovative system enables high-efficiency Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression in both tomato leaves and, for the...
One Gene, Two Gains: New Discovery Increases Sterols and Oils in Rapeseed
Sterols are beneficial plant metabolites with proven human health effects. In rapeseed (Brassica napus), enhancing sterol content could add significant nutritional value to edible oils. This study integrated quantitative trait...
How Apple Roots Fight Chloride Overload: ABA's Hidden Molecular Pathway Revealed
Chloride toxicity is a growing threat to salt-sensitive crops, causing oxidative stress, membrane damage, and cell death. A recent study reveals that abscisic acid (ABA), a well-known stress hormone, enhances...
Chinese Landrace Sheds Light on Seed Weight Genetics in Pigeonpea
In a leap forward for legume crop research, scientists have assembled a high-quality reference genome for 'D30', an ancient landrace of pigeonpea. This newly decoded genome unveils crucial genetic factors...
Planes are having their GPS hacked. Could new clocks keep them safe?
How a new atomic clock might be the way to tackle attacks on plane GPS systems
Kew Gardens' Palm House will close for five years for major makeover
The 175-year-old glass house will begin a £50m renovation in 2027.
Tiny creatures gorge, get fat, and help fight global warming
Scientists find out how the epic deep sea migration of a tiny animal is storing planet-warming carbon.
Work begins to create artificial human DNA from scratch
Scientists start a controversial project to create the building blocks of human life, in what is thought to be a world first.
Tiny creatures gorge, get fat, and help fight global warming
Scientists find out how the epic deep sea migration of a tiny animal is storing planet-warming carbon.
Kew Gardens' Palm House will close for five years for major makeover
The 175-year-old glass house will begin a £50m renovation in 2027.
Watch this cute robot elephant go bowling — it's the first 3D-printed robot of its kind
Researchers have unveiled a miniature robot elephant with special 3D-printed "tissues" that allow for more complex and natural movements. A video shows the elephant grasp a flower with its trunk...
Best underwater cameras 2025 — take photos of marine and freshwater wildlife and fauna
The best cameras for marine observation, surveying and recording your underwater adventures — just in time for Prime Day.
Endurance athletes that carry Neanderthal genes could be held back from reaching their peak
A Neanderthal variant in an enzyme involved in energy production has been linked to a 50% lower probability of achieving elite athletic performance.
OM System OM-3 review — a camera for wildlife and astrophotographers alike?
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Scientists discover changes to the polar vortex that are plunging parts of US into deep freeze
When the polar vortex stretches, North America feels the chill. New research reveals some of the stratospheric patterns controlling these cold snaps.
Amazfit Helio smart ring review — Accurate sleep tracking without breaking the bank
The Amazfit Helio is a great budget-friendly alternative to the Oura Ring — as long as you can look past its short battery life and limited range of sizes.
Why do sharks freeze when flipped upside down?
Many shark species are temporarily paralyzed when turned upside down. But what benefit does this trait have?
Colugo: The 'flying lemur' that doesn't fly and isn't a lemur
This big-eyed rainforest mammal looks like a cross between a bat and a squirrel. It glides between treetops using a furry membrane that connects its limbs.
New pocket-size model of ALS 'breathes and flows like human tissue'
A stem-cell-based "organ-on-a-chip" model of ALS mimics early biological changes seen in the degenerative disease.
Shark Week team discovers unusual 'black makos' off California coast
Weird makos filmed off the California coast in a new Shark Week show raise questions about what these sharks actually are.
Century-old crustacean mystery solved: Parasitic barnacles hijack host bodies through root-like networks
When you think of barnacles, you likely picture shell-like creatures stuck to the sides of boats or docks, or even whales. However, did you know that some of the barnacles...
US dams at greatest risk of overtopping identified
The number of dams in the United States at risk of overtopping is increasing, threatening their structural integrity and downstream communities, according to new research from the FAMU-FSU College of...
New discovery reveals how two proteins collaborate to detect UV-induced DNA damage
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight can cause DNA damage that leads to skin aging and cancer. Fortunately, our bodies have a highly efficient repair system capable of swiftly identifying and...
Genetic differences set the size threshold for ant queens versus workers
For many ant species, caste determines destiny. Queens grow large, sprout wings, and lay eggs; workers stay small, wingless, and industrious. But how these castes develop—and how a young ant's...
Slow and steady progress in decade-long project to save B.C.'s only native turtle
The 10-year project began in 2019, although the zoo was releasing turtles before that and has freed around 3,000 of them over the past decade.
How researchers are mapping genetics in N.B. to detect inherited diseases sooner
Researchers at Vitalité are studying the genes of New Brunswickers to find common variants they may have inherited from their parents. The hope is that with a full map of...