Researchers have uncovered a surprising genetic mechanism that influences the vibrant and complex patterns on butterfly wings. The team discovered that an RNA molecule, rather than a protein as previously thought, plays a pivotal role in determining the distribution of black pigment on butterfly wings.
Like people, vultures get set in their ways and have fewer friends as they age
Young griffon vultures move frequently between sleeping sites in different locations, interacting with many friends. They get set in their ways as they age and roost in the same spots with the same individuals; older vultures follow the same paths. Roosts act as information hubs; older vultures may have a...
What a submerged ancient bridge discovered in a Spanish cave reveals about early human settlement
Geologists examined a submerged 25-foot bridge to tackle a long-lasting archaeological controversy: When humans settled on the islands in the western Mediterranean. Their findings narrow a historical gap between the settlement timelines of the eastern and western Mediterranean regions.
New process vaporizes plastic bags and bottles, yielding gases to make new, recycled plastics
Chemists have developed a catalytic process that turns the largest component of today's plastic waste stream, polyolefin plastic bags and bottles, into gases -- propylene and isobutylene -- that are the building blocks of polypropylene and other types of plastics. The process uses inexpensive solid catalysts that can be scaled...
Scientist’s method could give months’ warning of major earthquakes
The public could have days or months of warning about a major earthquake through identification of prior low-level tectonic unrest over large areas, according to research by scientists who analyzed two major quakes in Alaska and California.
To build a thriving electric vehicle market, prioritize equity and justice
When it comes to purchasing and using electric vehicles (EVs), housing- and income-related factors significantly shape perceptions and preferences among potential buyers, finds a new study. This research is among the first to examine both EV adoption and charging infrastructure through an equity lens coupled with state-of-the-art original survey data.
Bacteria able to overcome cost of vancomycin resistance in lab setting
Staphylococcus aureus has the potential to develop durable vancomycin resistance, according to a new study.
Number of fish species at risk of extinction fivefold higher than previous estimates, according to a new prediction
Researchers predict that 12.7% of marine teleost fish species are at risk of extinction, up fivefold from the International Union for Conservation of Nature's prior estimate of 2.5%. Their report includes nearly 5,000 species that did not receive an IUCN conservation status due to insufficient data.
Plant signaling pathways decoded
Using newly generated 'optogenetic' tobacco plants, research teams have investigated how plants process external signals.
Dogs understand words from soundboard buttons
A new study reveals that dogs trained with soundboard buttons can indeed comprehend specific words, producing contextually appropriate responses.