Consumption of fish in monkeys has been thought of to be a rare occurrence, potentially even happening accidentally. However, through fecal studies of Japanese macaques in the Kamikochi area, evidence of fish-eating amongst this group of monkeys has been suggested. The frequency in which fish DNA has been detected in...
Enzyme ‘atlas’ helps researchers decipher cellular pathways
A new atlas maps more than 300 protein kinases found in human cells, and identifies which types of protein substrates they target. The atlas could help scientists understand what happens when cells become cancerous or are treated with specific drugs.
Realtime monitoring with a wearable device reveals IBS-related changes
A research group recorded the autonomic nervous system activity in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and healthy subjects using a wearable device and a proprietary smartphone application to record daily life events such as defecation and sleep. As a result, they found that sympathetic nervous system activity was activated...
Team streamlines DNA collection, analysis for wildlife conservation
A new DNA-collection approach allows scientists to capture genetic information from wildlife without disturbing the animals or putting their own safety in jeopardy. The protocol, tested on elephant dung, yielded enough DNA to sequence whole genomes not only of the elephants but also of the associated microbes, plants, parasites and...
Significant reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions still possible
About a quarter of the world's electricity currently comes from power plants fired by natural gas. These contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions (amounting to 10% of energy-related emissions according to the most recent figures from 2017) and climate change. By gathering data from 108 countries around the world...
Scientists study life origins by simulating a cosmic evolution
Amino acids make up millions of proteins that drive the chemical gears of life, including essential bodily functions in animals. Because of amino acids' relationship to living things scientists are eager to understand the origins of these molecules. After all, amino acids may have helped spawn life on Earth after...
Symptoms of illness help pathogens spread amongst songbirds
Both songbirds and humans suffer from contagious disease outbreaks. Studying what aspects of illness makes a sick animal contagious can help predict whether some pathogens will become more harmful over time.
Study offers most detailed glimpse yet of planet’s last 11,000 summers and winters
An international team of collaborators have revealed the most detailed look yet at the planet's recent climactic history, including summer and winter temperatures dating back 11,000 years to the beginning of what is known as the Holocene.
Managing river restoration and coastal erosion
A team has developed a more accurate formula to calculate how much sediment a fluid can push across a granular bed, which could help engineers manage river restoration and coastal erosion. The key to the new formula comes down to the shape of the sediment grains.
Origins of the building blocks of life
A new study posits that interstellar cloud conditions may have played a significant role on the presence of key building blocks of life in the solar system.