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In the tree of life, youth has its advantages

A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that younger groups of organisms diversify faster than older ones, challenging traditional explanations for the Tree of Life's imbalance. This suggests that time-dependent general principles govern life's diversity on Earth, operating beneath other factors

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 26, 2019

DNA traces on wild flowers reveal insect visitors

Researchers from Aarhus University discovered that insects leave tiny DNA traces on flowers they visit, revealing at least 135 different species of butterflies and insects. This eDNA method holds vast potential for tracking endangered pollinators and managing unwanted pest species.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateFeb 8, 2019

How microbial interactions shape our lives

Researchers have found that individual species in the gut microbiome account for only a quarter of the effect on fly lifespan, while interactions between species play a crucial role in determining fitness. The study highlights the importance of understanding complex microbiome interactions to better comprehend human health.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 4, 2018

Ultracold quantum mix

A team of researchers has successfully created a Bose-Einstein condensate of Dysprosium and Erbium atoms, demonstrating quantum degeneracy of these species. This achievement opens up novel research possibilities for dipolar quantum matter due to the long-range interaction among the two species.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 23, 2018

Thousands of turtles netted off South America

New research reveals tens of thousands of sea turtles are caught each year by small-scale fishers off South America's Pacific coast, with over 16,000 killed. The study highlights Ecuador and Peru as key places to tackle this issue, which threatens critically endangered species like leatherbacks and hawksbills.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalFisheries Research·DateJun 5, 2018

Post-whaling recovery of Southern Hemisphere

Researchers use complex ecosystem model to predict whale numbers by 2100, finding some species will not recover, while others like humpbacks are expected to make full recovery. Southern Hemisphere whaling has led to slow growth rates and reduced populations in several species.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalFish and Fisheries·DateAug 21, 2017

Free articles on Aedes albopictus, mosquitoes that may transmit Zika

A special collection of articles from the Journal of Medical Entomology provides in-depth research on Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, including its introduction to North America, disease transmission, and control measures. The studies highlight the importance of understanding this invasive insect for effective mosquito management.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJun 28, 2016

Engineered monomeric streptavidin

Researchers have engineered a novel variant of streptavidin that forms a stable monomer and binds biotin without crosslinking, allowing for efficient biotinylation of targets. The optimized monomeric streptavidin (mSA) can be fused to proteins to create a bi-functional molecule, enabling proximity-dependent biotinylation techniques.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateApr 1, 2016

Mating without males decreases lifespan

Researchers found that hermaphrodite nematodes, which self-fertilize, have significantly shorter lifespans than their female relatives. The study suggests that early reproduction and potential damage from mating may contribute to the decreased lifespan in hermaphrodites.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalThe American Naturalist·DateMar 3, 2016