Biology
From the smallest microbe to the largest dinosaurs and from the tiniest spore to the biggest giant sequoia, biological research continues to uncover weird and wonderful secrets.
Latest News
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Ultrasound to the brain induces hibernation in mice – and maybe humans
May 25, 2023We’re getting closer to being able to induce hibernation on demand in humans for surgery or space travel. Scientists have now demonstrated a way to induce a hibernation-like state in mice and rats using non-invasive ultrasound pulses to the brain. -
Merlin lets you easily identify almost every bird species across the world
May 25, 2023Casual bird buddies and ornithology obsessives alike can now trek to far corners of the globe and identify any feathered friend they find – as long as they have their phone with them. What's more, the Merlin app can now identify nearly every species. -
Chlamydia cousin in Great Barrier Reef coral offers hope for bleaching
May 19, 2023Scientists have found a bacteria related to the human chlamydia pathogen in the corals of Australia's Great Barrier Reef – and hope it could lead to game-changing probiotic treatments designed to slow down or reverse the process of coral bleaching. -
Magnetic stimulation treats depression by fixing "backwards" brain signals
May 17, 2023Stanford scientists have found a biological mechanism behind severe depression, and treated it. Signals between two brain regions flow the wrong way in people with depression, but magnetic stimulation reverses them, drastically improving symptoms. -
Subset of brain immune cells identified, linked to cognition and memory
May 15, 2023A new study has identified a subset of microglia, the brain's immune cells, and their important role in brain development and cognition that could pave the way for new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. -
Genetically modified bananas out to stop Cavendish catastrophe
May 15, 2023Fusarium fungus once decimated the world’s dominant Gros Michel bananas, so much so that the Cavendish variety became the global go-to. Now, as a new strain threatens its survival, approval of the very first GM Cavendish could prevent "bananageddon." -
Evolution experiment yields yeast 20,000x bigger and 10,000x tougher
May 15, 2023Scientists are conducting a long-term experiment on evolution to investigate how single-celled organisms could evolve into multicellular lifeforms. After thousands of generations, their yeast grew 20,000 times bigger and 10,000 times tougher. -
Hammerheads hold their breath to keep warm when deep-diving for food
May 14, 2023In a surprising first, researchers found that scalloped hammerhead sharks act like air-breathing marine mammals, holding their breath to stay warm when they deep-dive into cold water for food and making them vulnerable to humanity's deep-sea exploits. -
Next-level CRISPR gene editing: No viruses required
May 11, 2023Modified viruses have proven a handy way to get CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing materials into the nucleus of cells – but they're expensive, difficult to scale and potentially toxic. Now, researchers have found a non-viral approach that does the job better. -
The human "pangenome": First published draft captures DNA diversity
May 10, 2023The first draft of a human “pangenome,” mapping out DNA variations in our genes, has been published. Building on the existing reference genome by adding 1,000 new gene mutations and 120 million base pairs, it's crucial for future genetic research. -
Ant colonies perform strange group behavior never recorded before
May 09, 2023Playing dead is a common defense mechanism in the animal kingdom, but scientists in Australia have discovered an example on a whole new scale. Entire colonies of ants were found to be feigning death, in a collective behavior never before recorded. -
Stunning cell atlas captures human retina in colorful detail
May 09, 2023This stunning image may look like a particularly lively Jackson Pollock painting, but it’s actually an example of a new cell imaging technique. The subject? A human retina. -
Stone Age bacterial genomes reconstructed to make long-lost molecules
May 07, 2023Scientists have reconstructed the genomes of microbes from the Stone Age, and used them to produce new molecules. The complex puzzle was pieced together from DNA fragments of bacteria on the teeth of ancient humans and Neanderthals. -
Forest fungi overheard talking to each other after rain showers
May 02, 2023Whether they’re hacking the brains of bugs or mining gold, fungi are craftier than we give them credit for. Now researchers in Japan have studied how forest mushrooms communicate with each other, and found that they're mostly chatty when it rains. -
Hang in there: Sloths could be our surprise superbug superheroes
May 01, 2023They look like they don't have a care in the world - and, as far as their health goes, they may not. Scientists believe the raging organism party in their fur makes them infection-resistant, and could be the key to new superbug-fighting antibiotics.
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