The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is melting rapidly, raising concerns it could cross a tipping point of irreversible retreat in the next few decades if global temperatures rise 1.5 to 2.0 degrees Celsius (2.7 to 3.8 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels. New research finds that 6,000 years ago, the grounded...
Harmful fisheries subsidies are leading to more fishing vessels chasing fewer fish, resulting in adverse environmental and societal impacts
A recent study quantified the number of harmful fisheries subsidies that support fishing in the high seas, domestic and foreign waters and found that between 20 and 37 per cent of these subsidies supported fishing in waters outside the jurisdictions of their home nation. Further, these subsidies also primarily originated...
Herpes study adds to understanding of viral reinfections, how to potentially prevent them
A new study on herpes infections of the eye helps shed light on the question of viral reinfections by identifying a key protein involved in viral reinfections that could be targeted by antiviral drugs.
New test reveals existing antibiotics, hiding in plain sight on pharmacy shelves, can treat superbugs
A new test revealed that FDA-approved antibiotics -- available at your neighborhood pharmacy -- can effectively treat superbugs. They are not prescribed, however, because the gold-standard test predicts they will not work. The new test may improve the way antibiotics are developed, tested and prescribed -- and it is openly...
Scientists slow aging by engineering longevity in cells
Researchers have developed a biosynthetic 'clock' that keeps cells from reaching normal levels of deterioration related to aging. They engineered a gene oscillator that switches between the two normal paths of aging, slowing cell degeneration and setting a record for life extension.
Oxford University Joins Largest Ever Ocean Survey in a Global Effort to Save Marine Life
Scientists believe little more than 10% of the species that live in our seas have been found and that around two million remain undiscovered.
Shrinking Reservoirs in Catalonia
The Catalonia region of Spain is experiencing a long-term drought, which has shrunk reservoirs and led to water restrictions.
An Awesome Aurora
In late-April 2023, a severe geomagnetic storm in Earth’s magnetosphere led to an especially vivid display of the aurora.
Information ‘deleted’ from the human genome may be what made us human
What the human genome is lacking compared with the genomes of other primates might have been as crucial to the development of humankind as what has been added during our evolutionary history, according to a new study led by researchers at Yale and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard....
One famous dog and a powerful new approach for understanding biology and evolutionary history
Ever since scientists first read the complete genetic codes of creatures like fruit flies and humans more than two decades ago, the field of genomics has promised major leaps forward in understanding basic questions in biology. Two recent articles break new ground by showing how much valuable information can be...