The Plant Journal has transitioned to gold open access, removing paywalls and making its research freely available. This change is part of the Society for Experimental Biology's strategy to support the plant science community and ensure discoveries reach the widest audience.
Researchers found basking shark denticles are massive and arranged in 'paver blocks,' allowing for stretching during filter feeding. This unique arrangement may promote flexibility and repel parasites.
Research reveals multifloral honey's protective effects on human skin cells from UV radiation, promoting cell recovery and preventing aging. The study found that honey increased stemness-related markers and reduced aging-associated genes in skin stem cells and fibroblasts.
Research on ocean acidification's impact on cephalopod brains reveals a 49% reduction in brain volume compared to controls. The greatest reductions were found in visual information-interpretation regions, correlating with significant feeding behavior changes.
Hawaii's songless crickets have rapidly evolved to overcome reproductive challenges caused by lack of courtship songs. Non-singing males develop faster than wild-type males, allowing them to seek out female mates using alternative methods.
New study redefines the existence of necks in fish and amphibians, identifying functionally distinct anatomical regions. The project aims to build new definitions that apply more widely across all major vertebrate groups.
Research on burying beetles found that heat stress leads to an increase in same-sex mounting, contradicting initial assumptions. The study suggests a possible trade-off between heat-protection and social communication cuticular hydrocarbons may be involved.
Research on landfill-foraging white storks reveals a trade-off between food availability and increased risks from stress and DNA damage. Preliminary results show that young storks foraging on landfills have higher energy stores but also exhibit DNA damage at an early age.
Researchers have created an affordable and highly effective mosquito repellent distilled from locally grown catnip plants, comparable to DEET-based products. The nepetalactone-based lotion has been shown to repel mosquitoes responsible for malaria transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A citizen science project is mapping the microbiomes of a university campus, including those within students themselves, to understand how urbanization affects microbial biodiversity. The project provides valuable opportunities for scientific skill development and educational outreach.
Research reveals birds can harness lactate to rapidly resurrect blood function, outperforming mammals. Lactate enables bird RBCs to convert methaemoglobin back to haemoglobin three times faster than mammalian RBCs.
Research highlights impact of cannabis cultivation and drying methods on VOCs and human perception, identifying optimal storage conditions to preserve aroma profiles. Human assessors associated monoterpenes with bright notes and sesquiterpene clusters with woody scents.
A new video game, 'Run FoVE your life,' simulates high-intensity movement dynamics and energetics of cheetah chases, incorporating real movement data from human athletes in chase-tag games. The game aims to further understanding of fatigue and movement decision-making in life-or-death encounters.
Researchers have found that oyster meat extract can effectively reduce TNF-α-induced intestinal inflammation by interrupting NF-kB signalling pathways and decreasing COX-2 enzyme expression. This natural supplement has potential as a sustainable solution for managing chronic inflammatory diseases.
The SEB Conference 2026 will take place in Florence, Italy, from July 7-9, featuring over 600 talks on advances in experimental research. The event's theme is 'Reslience,' covering topics like biomechanics, wildlife conservation, and bio-inspired robotics.
Healthy plants release chemical signals called VOCs that inform neighboring plants about competitive pressure, triggering adjustments in growth and defense strategies. Genetic analysis reveals shifts in biomass linked to changes in stress-response and cellular transport genes.
A new editorial provides guidance on writing constructive peer reviews, emphasizing key takeaways such as 'picking battles' and maintaining professional courtesy. The guidance aims to elevate scientific data quality while mitigating impacts on authors' reputation and mental wellbeing.
Researchers have identified a novel genetic locus in the common agricultural weed Elymus repens that provides significant resistance to Fusarium Head Blight, a destructive fungal disease threatening global food security. The novel Fhb.Er-1StL locus has been successfully transferred into wheat, reducing diseased plant spikelets by up to...
A team of researchers are studying the reproductive traits of Japanese tree frogs living in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, to understand how radiation affects their survival. Their findings suggest that radiation can disrupt genetic pathways associated with sperm motility, potentially altering reproductive success.
Researchers are investigating whether boobies create a protective 'bubbly barrier' to reduce the impact of their high-speed dives. Preliminary findings suggest that supercavitation may indeed help mitigate the forces of impact, and further experiments are planned to confirm this effect.
Researchers discovered a unique nanostructure in blue shark skin that produces their iconic blue coloration, which also suggests a potential capacity for color change. Tiny changes in guanine crystal spacing can alter the shark's body color to suit its environment.
A new study reveals that koalas only spend around 10 minutes per day on the ground, which is linked to two-thirds of recorded koala deaths. The research used GPS loggers and accelerometers to analyze fine-scale movement patterns, finding that koalas move with little urgency and spend most of their time in trees.
A new technique allows scientists to inject molecules into coral tissues, revealing thyroxine's positive effect on calcification. The study raises questions about the evolution of animal physiology and how corals utilize thyroxine in their natural habitat.
The Moon-Rice project is developing a super-dwarf rice variety that can thrive in microgravity and produce high yields, addressing nutritional deficiencies in space. Researchers are also exploring ways to enrich the protein content of the crop to support astronaut health.
A new cell type has been identified in Burmese pythons that produces large particles made from calcium, phosphorus, and iron to digest bones. This specialized cell type helps limit excessive calcium absorption and is found in multiple python and boa species as well as the Gila monster.
Preliminary research suggests that climate change can lead to a reduction in nutritional quality in food crops, with potential devastating consequences for human health. The study found that elevated CO2 levels and hotter temperatures can exacerbate this decline, particularly affecting essential proteins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Researchers have discovered a way for caterpillars to metabolically degrade plastics in a matter of days, storing it as body fat. However, this process comes at a cost, ultimately leading to the caterpillar's death.
Research reveals that high temperatures and exposure to heavy metals reduce the frequency and pitch of non-flight wing vibrations in bees. This affects their communication, defense, and buzz-pollination abilities, which are crucial for plant reproduction and biodiversity.
New research identifies 'general motor skills' as crucial for world-class performance across various athletic disciplines. World-class experts show fewer inefficiencies in elastic tissue motions compared to regional-level and novice competitors.
Seeds can achieve speeds up to 29 miles per hour and reach shooting distances of up to 12 meters, propelled by high-pressure explosions. The fruit stem straightens up during ripening, creating an optimal angle for maximum distance.
The SEB Conference 2025 will feature over 500 talks on latest advances in experimental research across animal, plant and cell biology. The event highlights groundbreaking research in biomechanics, wildlife conservation, human disease and bio-inspired robotics.
New research reveals offshore windfarm electromagnetic fields have minimal impact on shark growth and survival, but ongoing studies aim to improve understanding of effects on marine species. The study focused on small-spotted catshark development under control and windfarm-impacted conditions using AC or DC currents.
A study found that 94% of recommended Tropical Ecology authors are white and 80% are from universities outside the tropics. Dr. Stewart White aims to decolonize the curriculum by promoting local research and increasing diversity among authors.
The study reveals that the electric blue spots of the bluespotted ribbontail ray are produced by unique skin cells with a stable 3D arrangement of nanoscale spheres containing reflecting nanocrystals. The team believes this colouration provides camouflage benefits to the stingrays, allowing them to blend with their surroundings.
Research reveals that pregnancy-related brain impairment affects live-bearing fish, particularly in decision-making and sensory reception. Unlike mammals, pregnant fish show decreased cell proliferation in olfactory regions, compromising scent interpretation.
New research reveals surprising differences in songbirds' diets and gut microbiomes in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Contrary to expectations, birds growing up in radiologically contaminated habitats have a higher diversity of insects in their diet.
New research reveals that artificial light at night (ALAN) attracts larval fish to artificially lit environments, reducing their chances of survival. ALAN has been shown to lower fish growth rates, metabolic rates, and overall survival, with serious consequences for fish conservation.
Researchers have discovered that the Greenland shark's metabolism remains unaltered over time, suggesting a key role in its exceptional longevity of at least 270 years. The study also found that metabolic enzymes were more active at higher temperatures, challenging previous assumptions about the species' adaptation to cold environments.
The e-COL+ project aims to capture and reconstruct France's natural history collections in 3D, covering nearly 6% of the world's total natural specimens. The project will provide modern equipment, create a comprehensive dataset of 3D models, and build AI tools to improve model reconstruction.
A sociological study found that most young adults experience confusion in choosing life-partners, with women more likely to report this than men. The pervasiveness of social media and digital dating can distort the reality of available candidates, leading to impulsiveness and decreased in-person interactions.
Research shows that ocean warming and acidification could lead to catastrophic shark embryo survival decline by 2100. Monthly temperature variation plays a significant role in mortality rates.
Researchers developed a flexible-yet-sturdy morphing structure inspired by the starfish skeleton with 4D morphing features. The structure exhibits self-locking, continuous bending, self-healing, and shape memory features, making it suitable for industry applications in robotics, aviation, and biomedical devices.
Research reveals wildfire ash can have devastating consequences on Australian water ecosystems, affecting both terrestrial and aquatic organisms. The study found that two common crustacean species had varying levels of sensitivity to ash concentrations, with some unable to survive even low doses.
The study combines real and robotic insects to understand how they sense forces in their limbs while walking. Campaniform sensilla (CS) are force receptors found in insect limbs that respond to stress and strain, providing critical information for controlling locomotion.
A recent public engagement project uses street theatre to educate audiences on African Sleeping Sickness, a neglected tropical disease prevalent in rural Africa. The performance aims to enhance trust in scientists and public health professionals among affected communities.
New research uses MRI and CT scans to study the anatomy of primate clitoris, revealing stark differences in morphology across species. The findings suggest that female genitalia have been chronically understudied, with significant diversity in clitoral structure and function.
A new method scans moving horses to produce an enhanced saddle-map, highlighting ideal areas for saddle placement to reduce pain and injury. The research identifies the most mobile areas of a horse's back as the least suitable for distributing pressure.
Researchers identified an upper critical temperature (UCT) for humans, where metabolic energy costs rise significantly. This finding has implications for working conditions, sport, medicine, and international travel.
New research reveals that sunscreen contamination may be less harmful to wildlife than previously thought, with exposure posing a low risk to small aquatic animals compared to individual chemicals.
Researchers have developed bat-inspired drones to eliminate moth pests from greenhouses using sound-based technology. The drones' noise affects moth flight behavior, causing some to fly erratically and others to cease flying altogether.