A study suggests that community acquired MRSA has evolved from a 1950s pandemic-causing strain, developing resistance to treatment by powerful antibiotics. The new strain shares the same highly-virulent toxin and poses a serious public health challenge.
Researchers discover a new paternal effect gene in Drosophila that has a relatively recent origin, overturning the theory that genes with vital functions must have been created long ago. The gene's evolution raises questions about why and how it emerged.
Researchers found that human genes are less carefully controlled due to a small population size, leading to increased disease risk. The study suggests that natural selection would have overridden harmful mutations with a larger population.
A study found that people use different strategies to complete a jigsaw puzzle, which can increase competition and conflict when collaborating with others. The researchers identified two main approaches: 'border obsessives' who focus on completing the border first, and 'opportunistic' puzzlers who take a more creative approach.
A new online survey, sponsored by WHO and European Commission, aims to collect information on the factors that contribute to quality of life in Britain. The results will be used to create a survey for doctors to assess patients' perception of their quality of life.
Researchers identify Photorhabdus asymbiotica, a bioluminescent bacterium that causes pustulent sores and is linked to the plague. The study highlights the potential for emerging diseases to evolve from insect pathogens.
The new software uses AI to identify aesthetically important elements in photographs, then distills them into a cubist composition. It has the potential to revolutionize animation production and create new forms of automated art.
Scientists analyzed mating behavior and body size of over 100 shorebird species to explain Rensch's rule. Larger shorebirds show competitive battles on the ground, where bigger males have an advantage, while smaller species feature aerial battles where agility is key.