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Ancestors of primates lived in pairs

A study published in PNAS found that 70 million years ago, primates' ancestors mostly lived in pairs, with only 15% opting for solitary lifestyles. This flexible pair-living ancestor likely offered benefits such as easier reproduction and thermoregulation.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 5, 2024

Asbestos: the size and shape of inhaled nanofibers could be exclusively responsible for the development of pulmonary fibrosis

Research reveals that inhaling asbestos or similar nanofibers can lead to pulmonary fibrosis due to their inability to be fully encapsulated by macrophages. The study found that fibers over 15 microns in length cause leaked secretions harmful to alveolar walls, leading to repeated pulmonary lesions and potential fibroma development.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 5, 2024

Like humans, baboons are strategic cooperators

Guinea baboons develop strategies to choose cooperative partners based on past interactions, mirroring human behavior like reciprocity. The study, published in Science Advances, suggests this behavior has been inherited at least 30 million years ago from a common ancestor with humans.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 27, 2023

Who were the first modern humans to settle in Europe?

The study analyzed genome sequences from two skull fragments dated to 36,000 and 37,000 years ago, revealing genetic proximity to current and ancient Europeans. The findings suggest that these individuals contributed to the population that gave rise to the Gravettian culture around 5,000 years later.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateOct 23, 2023

Mars: Was Olympus Mons once a giant volcanic island?

The giant Olympus Mons volcano on Mars has morphological similarities with many active volcanic islands on Earth, indicating contact between liquid water and lava. A vast ocean of liquid water once occupied the Red Planet's northern lowlands, according to recent work published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters.

SourceCNRS·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJul 25, 2023

Secrets of Egyptian painters revealed by chemistry

An international team of scientists used nondestructive chemical analysis to uncover subtle changes in ancient Egyptian funerary paintings, including reworked motifs and pigments. The discovery sheds new light on the creative process and intellectual identities of pharaonic artists, revealing a more dynamic and complex artistic tradition.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2023

Why do we articulate more when speaking to babies and puppies?

Scientists studied vocal behavior of ten mothers and found they articulated better and expressed more positive emotions when speaking to their babies or puppies. This hyperarticulation led to clearer pronunciation of words and easier processing for infants.

SourceCNRS·JournalJournal of Child Language·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2023

Detection of an echo emitted by our Galaxy's black hole 200 years ago

An international team of scientists has discovered an echo emitted by the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way, which emerged from a long period of dormancy 200 years ago. The black hole, four million times more massive than the Sun, gobbled up cosmic objects before re-entering quiescence.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJun 21, 2023

Malaria: New molecule with therapeutic potential

CNRS scientists have identified a molecule that prevents parasites of Plasmodium from invading blood cells, paving the way for a new class of antimalarials. The discovery is based on the key role of myosin A in malaria infection and its inhibition by KNX-002.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 15, 2023

Liver cells control our biological clock

Researchers from CNRS discover that liver cells control the biological clock in mammals, synchronizing peripheral clocks. This finding suggests a connection between liver health and overall metabolism, with potential implications for metabolic disease and sleep disorders.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2023

New viruses related to both giant viruses and herpesviruses

A new group of DNA viruses, mirusviruses, has been discovered in marine plankton, linking them to both giant viruses and herpesviruses. The discovery reveals that the ancestors of herpes viruses once infected single-cell organisms, while the majority of mirusvirus genes share similarities with those of giant viruses.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateApr 19, 2023

Biological invasions as costly as natural disasters

The global economic impact of biological invasions exceeds that of natural catastrophes, with $1208 billion in losses between 1980 and 2019. Biological invasions have a long-lasting effect, causing significant damage to infrastructure, crops, and ecosystems.

SourceCNRS·JournalPerspectives in Ecology and Conservation·DateApr 18, 2023

Climate change: improved prediction of heatwaves thanks to AI

Researchers developed AI predicting heatwaves using 'deep learning' and statistical models, providing a probabilistic approach up to a month before arrival. The technology is trained on 8,000 years of weather data and combines with rare event simulation algorithms for improved forecasts

SourceCNRS·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 5, 2023

Mandrills teach their daughters good hygiene practices

In a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, researchers found that mandrill females pass on hygienic practices to their daughters, reducing parasite infection. This social transmission of hygiene has potential consequences for infectious disease dynamics in primate groups.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London·DateFeb 8, 2023

Two proteins join forces to make flowers

A recent study has solved a 25-year-old enigma by revealing the role of UFO protein in flower formation. The protein aids LEAFY protein in activating genes responsible for bud formation and petal development when combined. This discovery was made using plant genetic experiments, bioinformatics analyses, and protein imaging.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Plants·DateFeb 2, 2023

Acorn production cycles influence wild boar populations

Research suggests that alternating years of low and high acorn production contribute to an increase in wild boar populations. Biennial episodes of acorn production coincide with the generation time of wild boars, leading to positive population growth.

SourceCNRS·JournalThe American Naturalist·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 9, 2023

Loss of glaciers faster than expected

A new study found that glaciers are losing mass at a rate higher than previously estimated, with small glaciers being the most impacted. By 2100, 49% of the world's glaciers could disappear due to global warming, leading to a 9-cm sea level rise under 1.5°C conditions.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateJan 6, 2023

COVID-19: a respiratory vaccine effective in mice

A new respiratory vaccine has been shown to provide complete protection against lethal SARS-CoV-2 challenge in mice. The vaccine uses a DNA encoding a viral protein and is delivered through the mucous membranes, targeting immune cells in the nose and lungs.

SourceCNRS·JournalBiomaterials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Discovery of extracts from a lost astronomical catalogue

Researchers deciphered descriptions of four constellations from the Hipparchus Star Catalogue, refuting a long-held idea about its relation to Claudius Ptolemy's catalogue. The study confirms Hipparchus' data as accurate to the nearest degree, making it a significant advancement in reconstructing the ancient astronomical text.

SourceCNRS·JournalJournal for the History of Astronomy·DateOct 20, 2022

How can flying insects and drones tell up from down?

Researchers developed a new principle for estimating gravity direction in flying insects and drones by combining optical flow with movement modeling. This allows them to determine the direction of gravity in most situations except when completely stationary, which destabilizes their flight.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2022

Neanderthals appear to have been carnivores

A new study using zinc isotope analysis found that Neanderthals were probable carnivores, contrary to earlier research suggesting a plant-based diet. The analysis of a tooth enamel sample from the Gabasa site in Spain revealed a carnivorous diet without blood consumption.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2022

Climate change: A threat to urban trees

A global risk assessment reveals that 56-65% of urban tree species are already at risk due to increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation. By 2050, this figure could rise to 68-76%, with France expecting a 71% risk for common ash species.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 19, 2022

The origins of donkey domestication

The study reveals that donkeys were first domesticated in Africa 5,000 years ago, with a previously unknown genetic lineage discovered in the Levant. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the history of trade between Europe and North Africa.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2022

Plate tectonics drives ocean oxygenation

Researchers used a three-dimensional climate model to recreate Earth's history and found that changing continents significantly increased ocean oxygen levels. This new study reveals the previously underestimated role of plate tectonics in shaping ocean biodiversity.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2022

Idoteas are the sea’s bees

A team of scientists has discovered that idoteas, tiny marine creatures, play a crucial role in the reproductive cycle of red algae by pollinating them. This unique interaction not only aids the alga's reproduction but also provides the idotea with food and shelter.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2022

A methodological leap in the exploration of memory

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking 'toolbox' to study receptor mobility in the brain, revealing its critical role in certain types of memory. The study used high-resolution imaging and manipulation techniques to observe receptor dynamics in intact brain tissue, providing new insights into the mechanisms controlling memory.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2022

Neuronal circuit serving social interaction

Researchers have identified a neural circuit responsible for detecting 'affective' touch and influencing social behavior in mice. Activation of this circuit triggers social bonding, while disruption leads to reduced social interaction.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2022

Toward new degradable polymers

Researchers have developed a new degradable polymer material with improved biodegradability, outperforming existing bioplastics like PLA or PCL. The material can degrade by over 70% in a week, making it suitable for applications such as thermosensitive nanoparticles for medicine administration.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2022

The birth of twins is not linked to women's fertility

A new analysis of over 100,000 births reveals that women with a high chance of having twins generally have reduced fertility. The study found that twin survival and increased pregnancies can compensate for reproductive aging, leading to higher total child numbers.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 24, 2022

Promoting diversity in forestry

Research reveals that multi-species forest plantations outperform monocultures in terms of tree height, width, and biomass production. This is attributed to functional complementarity between species, which enhances resource use efficiency.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 20, 2022

How do water mould spores swim?

Researchers have developed a theoretical model explaining how water mould spores move and change direction, revealing a breaststroke-like motion for turning. The study provides insights into the biophysical nature of these microorganisms, which could lead to new avenues in physics research.

SourceCNRS·JournaleLife·TypeObservational study·DateMay 9, 2022