Two important questions face biologists studying the infectious proteins called prions: What stops prions that infect one species from infecting another species and what causes the invisible transmission barrier between species to fail sometimes?
In experiments with yeast prions reported in this weeks issue of Nature, Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers have shown how point mutations in prions — which do not compromise their infectivity — can nevertheless cause prions to alter
Are there social behavior genes?
A rare genetic disorder may lead scientists to genes for social behavior, a Salk Institute study has found.
The study zeros in on the genes that may lead to the marked extroverted behavior seen in children with Williams syndrome, demonstrating that “hyper-sociability” – especially the drive to greet and interact with strangers — follows a unique developmental path.
The path is not only different from typical children bu
New discoveries about tiny genetic components called microRNAs explain why plant leaves are flat.
The study may be a first step, researchers say, in revolutionizing our understanding of how plants control their morphology, or shape. A plants ability to grow structures with a specific shape is critical to its normal function of capturing energy from the sun and producing products like grain and fiber.
As such, these findings could ultimately have profound implications fo
How vastly different animals arrive at the same body plan or pattern of ornamentation has long been a conundrum of developmental biology.
But now, thanks to the colorful derriere of a wild fruit fly, captured on a compost heap by a University of Wisconsin-Madison post-doctoral student, scientists have been able to document a rare example of molecular convergence, the process by which different animals use the same genes to repeatedly invent similar body patterns and structures.
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Nowadays, the Universe is pervaded by energetic ultraviolet radiation, produced by quasars and hot stars. The short-wavelength photons liberate electrons from the hydrogen atoms that make up the diffuse intergalactic medium and the latter is therefore almost completely ionised. There was, however, an early epoch in the history of the Universe when this was not so.
The Universe emanated from a hot and extremely dense initial state, the so-called Big Bang. Astronomers now believe that it took
As well as keeping their fingers crossed for good weather during next weeks close approach of Mars, astronomers are hoping that the skies will be clear on Mars itself.
During National Astronomy Week – Saturday 23 to Saturday 30 August – observing events will be held across the UK where the public can view Mars through telescopes. It is expected that thousands of people will turn out to see the planet closer than it has been for almost 60,000 years. But its not just our own
A new study sorts through models attempting to solve one of the major challenges of contemporary cosmic science, the measurement of its expansion. Thanks to the dizzying growth of cosmic…
New research led by Flatiron Institute researchers reveals the source of the mysterious swirling flows in some of nature’s largest cells. Egg cells are the largest single cells on the…
… by searching for molecular fingerprinting. A research team consisting of Professor Kyoung-Duck Park and Taeyoung Moon and Huitae Joo, PhD candidates, from the Department of Physics at Pohang University…
A research team led by Dr Serge Krasnokutski from the Astrophysics Laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy at the University of Jena had already demonstrated that simple peptides…
Charité study in Science decodes wiring of the human neocortex. Contrary to previous assumptions, nerve cells in the human neocortex are wired differently than in mice. Those are the findings…
… as efficient piezocatalyst for synthesis of H2O2 from pure water. As an important chemical raw material, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is widely applied in various aspects of industry and life….
Known for its ability to withstand extreme environments and high voltages, silicon carbide (SiC) is a semiconducting material made up of silicon and carbon atoms arranged into crystals that is…
Silicon-based electronics are approaching their physical limitations and new materials are needed to keep up with current technological demands. Two-dimensional (2D) materials have a rich array of properties, including superconductivity…
In research that may lead to next-generation airplanes and spacecraft, MIT engineers used carbon nanotubes to prevent cracking in multilayered composites. To save on fuel and reduce aircraft emissions, engineers…
… a step towards the computing of the future. An international research team led by scientists from the CNRS1 has discovered that the magnetic nanobubbles2 known as skyrmions can be…
Soft skin coverings and touch sensors have emerged as a promising feature for robots that are both safer and more intuitive for human interaction, but they are expensive and difficult…
Researchers at the University of Stuttgart achieve strongest connection. Making emergency calls even in remote areas and transmitting large amounts of data in real time? This is possible with the…