Science News

• Probing the deep genetic structure of Africa September 22, 2023
  Using ancestry decomposition techniques an international research team has revealed a deeply divergent ancestry among admixed populations from the Angolan Namib desert. This unique genetic heritage brings the researchers closer to understanding the distribution of genetic variation in the broader region of southern Africa before the spread of food production.
• Jellyfish, with no central brain, shown to learn from past experience September 22, 2023
  Even without a central brain, jellyfish can learn from past experiences like humans, mice, and flies, scientists report for the first time. They trained Caribbean box jellyfish (Tripedalia cystophora) to learn to spot and dodge obstacles. The study challenges previous notions that advanced learning requires a centralized brain and sheds light on the evolutionary roots […]
• Colorful primates don't have better color vision, study finds September 22, 2023
  Primate species with better color vision are not more likely to have red skin or fur coloration, as previously thought.
• Migratory birds can be taught to adjust to climate change September 22, 2023
  One result of climate change is that spring is arriving earlier. However, migratory birds are not keeping up with these developments and arrive too late for the peak in food availability when it is time for breeding. By getting the birds to fly a little further north, researchers have observed that these birds can give […]
• Same genes behind heart muscle disorders in humans and Dobermanns September 22, 2023
  Researchers have made a significant finding in determining the genetic background of dilated cardiomyopathy in Dobermanns. This research helps us understand the genetic risk factors related to fatal diseases of the heart muscle and the mechanisms underlying the disease, and offers new tools for their prevention.
• Conversations with plants: Can we provide plants with advance warning of impending dangers? September 21, 2023
  Plant scientists have engineered a light-controlled gene expression system (optogenetics system) from a prokaryotic system into a eukaryotic system that is tailored for plants.
• We could sequester CO2 by 're-greening' arid lands, plant scientists say September 21, 2023
  Reducing CO2 levels in the atmosphere will take more than cutting emissions -- we will also need to capture and store the excessive volumes of already-emitted carbon. A team of plant scientists argue that arid lands such as deserts could be one answer to the carbon-capture problem.
• This parasitic plant convinces hosts to grow into its own flesh--it's also an extreme example of genome shrinkage September 21, 2023
  Balanophora shed one third of its genes as it evolved into a streamlined parasitic plant -- an extreme degree of genome shrinkage even among parasites. Along the way this subtropical plant developed the ability to induce the host plant to grow into the parasite's own flesh -- forming chimeric organs that mix host and parasite […]
• Dinosaur feathers reveal traces of ancient proteins September 21, 2023
  Palaeontologists have discovered X-ray evidence of proteins in fossil feathers that sheds new light on feather evolution.
• How climate warming could disrupt a deep-rooted relationship September 21, 2023
  Trees depend on fungi for their well-being. As climate change and global warming cause higher temperatures and amplified drought, little is known about how these important fungi will respond. To investigate this issue, a research team conducted a climate change experiment where they exposed boreal and temperate tree species to warming and drought treatments to […]