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University of Bath


Mitosis gets harder thanks to new gene discovery

Researchers at the University of Bath discovered that RASSF7 is crucial for building microtubules during mitosis, a process that allows cells to divide in two. Without this protein, cell division is halted, highlighting its potential as a future cancer treatment target.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·DateApr 3, 2008

Discovery cuts cost of next generation optical fibers

Scientists have developed a new method to produce hollow-core optical fibres, which could lead to faster and more powerful computing and telecommunications technologies. The breakthrough reduces production time from around a week to just one day, making the fibre superior in virtually every respect to previous versions.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 17, 2008

Parents seeking sex abandon 1 in 3 offspring

A study published in Journal of Evolutionary Biology found that penduline tit parents frequently abandon 1 in 3 clutches of eggs to pursue new mates. This unique breeding strategy allows for improved reproductive success but also poses risks for the young.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateJul 30, 2007

Finger length helps predict elementary exam results, study shows

A new study found that a child's finger length can predict their performance in numeracy and literacy tests. The researchers discovered that a higher digit ratio, indicating greater prenatal testosterone exposure, is associated with stronger numeracy skills. In contrast, a lower digit ratio is linked to higher literacy scores for girls.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalBritish Journal of Psychology·DateMay 22, 2007

Big-brained birds survive better in nature

A new study reveals that birds with larger brains relative to their body size have a lower mortality rate than those with smaller brains. The research supports the cognitive buffer hypothesis, which suggests that large brains enable animals to better cope with environmental challenges such as climate change and habitat destruction.

Copying nature could save us energy, study shows

A recent study compared how natural 'machines' and man-made technologies overcome similar problems, revealing that only 5% of natural machines rely on energy in the same way. Instead, insects, plants, birds, and mammals use the structure and organization of their body parts and behavior to solve problems.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateMay 9, 2006