A new study reveals that female birds in tropical regions have fewer babies per nesting attempt than those in moderate, northern climates. Researchers found that clutch sizes were smaller for species with higher predation rates, but the data didn't fit the Skutch theory, suggesting other factors may be at play.
Scientists discover a new way cells can relay messages to affect gene activity through a protein-processing program that dismantles proteins into fragments acting as messengers. The study reveals a fragment of the developmental protein Notch serves as a messenger determining a cell's fate, influencing gene activity and cell behavior.
Researchers from the University of Toronto have developed a new class of magnetically tunable, shaped ceramics. By adjusting temperature in a pyrolysis chamber, they can create ferromagnetic nanoclusters and tune the material's magnetism. This breakthrough has potential applications in data storage, anti-static coatings, and other fields.
A signaling protein acts as a 'messenger of death' to execute apoptosis, a process regulating cell numbers and connections. The discovery could offer targets for drugs preventing cell death related to heart attacks, strokes, or Alzheimer's disease.