Biology
A New Study Helps Untangle the Role of Tau in Dementia
Understanding the protein’s role in the cell shows what's happening in neurodegenerative diseases before symptoms emerge.
Got an Invasive Army of Crayfish Clones? Try Eating Them
The marbled crayfish is a threat to the native species, but the “Berlin lobster” may also offer a sustainable food source and help stop the spread of parasites.
Scientists Capture Airborne Animal DNA for the First Time
Researchers filtered the air around two zoos and identified genetic material from dozens of species, a technique that could help track and conserve wildlife.
Can Synthetic Palm Oil Help Save the World’s Tropical Forests?
Harvesting this vegetable oil is a huge driver of deforestation. Numerous startups are taking up the daunting task of engineering it instead.
Natural History, Not Technology, Will Dictate Our Destiny
Humans—convinced of our own power and control—tend to ignore the laws of nature. But that is a mistake.
Could Being Cold Actually Be Good for You?
Researchers are exploring the health benefits of literally chilling out.
At the Dawn of Life, Heat May Have Driven Cell Division
A mathematical model shows how a thermodynamic mechanism could have made protocells split in two.
Lab-Grown Embryo Research Is Poised to Transform Medicine
New advances in stem cell science could alleviate devastating early-life conditions. But this comes with a moral conundrum.
How an Aquarium Collects Curious Creatures From the Deep
Take a cruise with scientists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, as they pilot an SUV-sized robot to collect delicate specimens 1,600 feet down.
These Lemurs Have Got Rhythm. Scientists Have Got Questions
Studying how and why rhythm evolved in these primates could help unravel the mysteries of human musicality.
A Gene-Tweaked Jellyfish Offers a Glimpse of Other Minds
Researchers have created jellyfish whose nerve cells light up when they fire, offering a tantalizing view of neurology before the rise of the brain.
.jpg)
To See Proteins Change in Quadrillionths of a Second, Use AI
Researchers have long wanted to capture how protein structures contort in response to light. But getting a clear image was impossible—until now.
Is There a Genetic Link to Being an Extremely Good Boy?
Guide dogs need the right personality, health, and training. Scientists are studying the genetics behind the traits that make a dog suited to working.
Welcome to the (Synthetic) Meatspace
Reactor-grown nuggets, human-edited genetic code, and new mRNA technologies could change our relationship to life itself.
An AI Finds Superbug-Killing Potential in Human Proteins
A team scoured the human proteome for antimicrobial molecules and found thousands, plus a surprise about how animals evolved to fight infections.
Humans Have Broken a Fundamental Law of the Ocean
The size of undersea creatures seemed to follow a strange but stable pattern—until industrial fishing came along.
A New Theory for Systems That Defy Newton’s Third Law
In nonreciprocal systems, “exceptional points” are helping researchers understand phase transitions and possibly other phenomena.
The North Carolina Town Besieged by Armadillos
Thanks to climate change, the armored animals are making their way up north. And there’s no sign of them stopping their relentless march.
Sponge Genes Hint at the Origins of Neurons and Other Cells
A new gene expression study reveals broad cellular diversity as well as possibly ancient connections between the nervous, immune, and digestive systems.
Glowing Worms Could Shed Light On the Secrets of Regeneration
Cut a panther worm into thirds and each section will grow a new body. Researchers injected some with a fluorescent protein to study how.
There Are Bright Spots in the Global Coral Reef Catastrophe
The first major report on the world’s reefs presents a grim picture of losses from global warming. But there are signs coral can recover if given a reprieve.
California Condors Are Capable of Asexual Reproduction
A new study shows that two captive birds had only maternal DNA and survived early development—a first for the critically endangered species.
This Prairie Grassland Project Collects Native Seeds
Young members of the Fort Belknap Indian Community are learning how to identify and save local grasses as part of an effort to restore the land.
Ground-Level Ozone Is a Creeping Threat to Biodiversity
Scientists are learning how this pollutant damages plants and trees, setting off a cascade of effects that harms everything from soil microbes to wildlife.