Genomes of tapeworms studied
Researchers study the genomes of four tapeworm species to find adaptations that helped them evolve into parasites.
Biology
Floral electric fields signal to bees
Flowers have varying electrical fields that can be sensed by bees and attract them to come pollinate the flower.
Differences in mutation rates may lead to faster evolution
In Bacillus subtilis, there are higher rates of mutation in genes found on the lagging strand during replication as opposed to those found on the leading strand. This could lead to faster evolution of these genes!
Roots and fungi act as carbon sinks
Roots aren't just for absorbing water. This paper shows that roots and associated fungi in subarctic forests act as carbon sinks.
Quality control of DNA replication
Researchers examine how cells know to make only one copy of DNA before division.
Caffeine in floral nectar enhances bee memory
Caffeine found in the nectar of some flowers enhanced the memory of reward in bees causing them to return more frequently to those flowers.
Increasing nitrogen pollution in China
Nitrogen pollution from emissions and agricultural use in China are rivaling the levels seen in Europe in the 1980s.
Prenatal infection may contribute to psychiatric disorders
A mouse model adds support to the hypothesis that prenatal infection can contribute to psychiatric disorders later in life.
High salt levels recruit aversive taste pathways
High salt levels hijack bitter and sour neural pathways to make your food taste gross (and keep your electrolytes balanced!)
Argon dating determines time scale of Cretaceous mass extinction
High-precision argon dating was used to analyze tektites and bentonites derived from a bolide impact associated with the mass extinction event at the boundary of the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods.
Pages
