After almost two decades of synchrotron experiments, scientists have captured a clear picture of a cell's nuclear pores, which are the doors and windows through which critical material in your body flows in and out of the cell's nucleus. These findings could lead to new treatments of certain cancers, autoimmune...
Worms as model for personalized medicine
Using four unrelated strains of the microscopic nematode C. elegans originating from different parts of the world, a group of worm biologists have developed a model system to study individual differences in metabolism. This advancement represents a potentially important step toward 'personalized' or 'precision' medicine, a relatively new discipline that tailors dietary...
Researchers capture images of antibody attacking neuron receptor
Researchers have captured images of an auto-antibody bound to a nerve cell surface receptor, revealing the physical mechanism behind a neurological autoimmune disease. The findings could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat autoimmune conditions, the study authors said.
Proof Mendel discovered the laws of inheritance decades ahead of his time
Gregor Mendel, the Moravian monk, was indeed 'decades ahead of his time and truly deserves the title of 'founder of genetics.'' So concludes an international team of scientists as the 200th birthday of Mendel approaches on 20 July.
Stronger overturning circulation in the Pacific during the last glacial period
Coral data indicate that the upper layers of Pacific Ocean were more mixed during the last Ice Age than they are today. New research shows that the Tasman Sea in the South Pacific was an important component of the global conveyor belt at that time.
Bomb detectors picking up more blue whale songs in Indian Ocean
The good news is, pygmy blue whales appear to be thriving in the Indian Ocean. But not-so-good is that climate change may be threatening their food sources.
Paleobiology: Complex family relationships
An international team of researchers has managed to classify fossils of one of the most species-rich fish groups into a family tree for the first time.
Education system ‘neglecting the importance of plants’
People are becoming 'disconnected from the botanical world' at a time when plants could help solve global environmental problems, warn a group of research scientists. They say the problem has been exacerbated by schools and universities reducing their teaching of basic plant science, including plant identification and ecology. They describe...
Nanoparticles can save historic buildings
Buildings made of porous rock can weather over the years. Now scientists have studied in detail how silicate nanoparticles can help save them. Many historical buildings were built of sandstone. It is easy to work with, but does not withstand weathering well. It consists of sand grains that are relatively...
Pocket gophers are underground root ‘farmers’
Pocket gophers are known for living solitary, underground lives, eating roots in North and Central American grasslands. Now, researchers have found that pocket gophers keep up with the high energy demands of their burrowing lifestyle by 'farming' roots that grow into their tunnels. They calculate that these roots supply 20...