10 September 2024
Life Science News. Updated daily with science research articles in all the life sciences.
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Surprising hormone-related gene activity discovered in the early larval stage of the Malabar grouper
Researchers have highlighted patterns of gene activation during Malabar grouper larval development, revealing an unusual early peak of activation of thyroid and corticoid genes during the early larval stage of these fish. Their paper shows that thyroid and corticoid genes are activated twice during larval development, once during the early larval stage and once during metamorphosis. This early activation has never been encountered in any fish species before, making the grouper case unique.
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Promoting horse welfare with an intestinal disease screening method
Researchers are developing a promising method to support the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in horses. Awareness of the prevalence of IBD in both humans and animals has increased in recent decades, and the need for effective and affordable diagnostic methods has become increasingly urgent.
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Grim statistics on koala survival odds
Records of koala admissions to veterinary hospitals in South East Queensland shows euthanasia was the most common outcome.
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Giant fanged frog went unrecognized in Philippines because it was nearly identical to even larger species
Researchers published findings describing a new species of fanged frog, named Limnonectes cassiopeia, from the Philippine island of Luzon.
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Hep C: We're closer than ever to solving mystery of deadly virus
Around 300,000 people die from hepatitis C every year. A new study has mapped the protein complex that enables the virus to infect our cells, potentially paving the way for an effective vaccine.
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Hijacking the command center of the cell: Nuclear parasites in deep-sea mussels
Researchers now reveal how a bacterial parasite infects and reproduces in the nuclei of deep-sea mussels from hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. They show how a single bacterial cell invades the mussel's nucleus where it reproduces to over 80,000 cells, while ensuring that its host cell stays alive.
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Crystallized alternative DNA structure sheds light on insulin and diabetes
The first crystal structure of an alternative DNA shape from the insulin gene has been revealed.
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Researchers determine molecular interactions in plants
Plant scientists have long known that phosphorus is a crucial component in plant growth. Biologists are now developing a better understanding of how plants detect and use that resource -- potentially leading to more efficient production of crops for food, fiber and fuel.
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State-by-state data boosts bird conservation planning
New data summaries will help state wildlife planners assess the status of bird populations that live in or pass through their state -- a crucial tool in protecting species.
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Researchers find ideal place to take reptiles' pulse rate
Researchers have discovered they can consistently measure reptiles' pulse rate in an easy-to-reach spot on the back of the head, and that pulse rate corresponds to the heart rate in healthy reptiles.
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Shedding light on how oral bacteria can aggravate rheumatoid arthritis
Clinical studies have shown that periodontal disease with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans can exacerbate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the molecular mechanisms behind this remain unclear. Researchers conducted several experiments in a mouse model of arthritis to shed light on this topic. Their findings reveal the crucial role of macrophages and the protein caspase-11 in this context, hinting at promising therapeutic targets for RA and other periodontal infection-related diseases.
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The dictionary of termites has been rewritten
Just as many ecosystems rely on the infrastructure provided by termites, so too does the study of termites require a solid foundation. And now, a new system for termite classification has been created thanks to the effort of no less than 46 researchers from around the world.
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Regulatory gene influences shape recognition in medaka fish
Medaka fish that lacked functional Hmgn2 genes were unable to distinguish between simple shapes, revealing a new function for the regulatory gene.
