Recent advances in astronomical observations have found a significant number of extrasolar planets that can sustain surface water, and the search for extraterrestrial life on such planets is gaining momentum. A team of astrobiologists has proposed a novel approach for detecting life on ocean planets. By conducting laboratory measurements and...
Extreme heat may speed up aging in older adults
A new study suggests greater exposure to extreme heat may accelerate biological aging in older adults, raising new concerns about how climate change and heat waves could affect long-term health and aging at the molecular level.
Possible links between PFAS exposure and childhood cancers
A study has revealed possible links between exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water and an increased risk of certain childhood cancers.
School of rock: Properties of rocks in fault zones contribute to earthquake generation
A study looking at a small region in Japan has shown that the properties of fault zone rocks really matter for the generation of earthquakes.
Microplastics in ocean linked to disabilities for coastal residents
Tiny bits of plastic found in the ocean may be tied to a higher risk of disability for people who live in coastal areas with high levels, according to a preliminary study. The study looked at disabilities affecting memory and thinking, mobility and a person's ability to take care of...
Earliest evidence for humans in rainforests
Researchers discovered evidence for human habitation of rainforests 150,000 years ago. This pushes back the oldest known evidence of humans in rainforests by more than double the previously known estimate.
Comprehensive resource describes functions of more than 20,000 human genes
A comprehensive encyclopedia of the known functions of all protein-coding human genes has just been completed and released. Researchers used large-scale evolutionary modeling to integrate data on human genes with genetic data collected from other organisms. This has culminated in a searchable public resource that lists the known functions of...
Fish teeth show how ease of innovation enables rapid evolution
It's not what you do, it's how readily you do it. Rapid evolutionary change might have more to do with how easily a key innovation can be gained or lost rather than with the innovation itself, according to new work.
Successful strategies for collaborative species conservation
How can the loss of species and habitats in agricultural landscapes be stopped? Up to now, measures have mostly been implemented by individual farms. In contrast, agri-environmental measures that are planned across farms at landscape level offer greater potential for creating suitable habitats for different species as a mosaic in...
New manzanita species discovered, already at risk
A new species of manzanita -- a native California shrub famous for its twisted branches and wildfire resilience -- has been discovered on the central coast, but its survival is already threatened by urban development that could destroy much of its fragile population.