Add BrightSurf on Google Email

An engineer's guide to the embryo

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are studying the mechanics of morphogenesis in frog embryos to better understand human development, birth defects, and cancer. By applying structural analysis principles, they aim to develop a tool that provides bioengineers with greater control over tissue self-assembly.

Undetected infection

A study found that 7% of healthy Santa Barbara residents tested positive for raccoon roundworm antibodies, highlighting a previously undetected human infection risk. The parasite can survive over a year in the environment and cause severe health effects, including blindness or brain damage.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateJul 24, 2017

Warming temperatures threaten sea turtles

A new Swansea University study suggests that rising temperatures associated with climate change could drive sea turtle populations to extinction. The research found that warmer incubation temperatures can lead to higher numbers of female sea turtles and increased nest failure, threatening the long-term survival of certain species.

SourceSwansea University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJun 21, 2017

Identifying species from a single caviar egg

A new tool enables identification of high-end caviar from Beluga sturgeons by analyzing DNA from a single caviar egg, contributing to conservation and fair international trade. The development helps distinguish Beluga caviar from Bester and other species using targeted genetic variants.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 30, 2017

Experts call for registry of egg donors

A commentary and editorial in Reproductive BioMedicine Online argue that a registry of egg donors is needed to monitor long-term health risks, citing five case histories of women who developed breast cancer after donation. The authors highlight the lack of data on this topic and call for increased transparency about potential risks.

SourceElsevier·JournalReproductive BioMedicine Online·DateMay 2, 2017

Researchers aim to disrupt egg production in dengue- and Zika-spreading mosquito

A team of scientists at UC Riverside has identified five major microRNA expression peaks in the Aedes aegypti fat body following a blood meal. By disrupting these miRNAs, researchers hope to control mosquito reproduction and prevent the spread of diseases transmitted by these mosquitoes. The study provides insight into the regulatory g...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2017

Women's fertility may decrease with physically demanding or shift work

A Harvard study found that heavy lifting and non-daytime work schedules can decrease fertility in women, especially those who are overweight or over 37. The researchers measured biomarkers of fecundity in nearly 500 women seeking infertility treatment, revealing an inverse association between physical demands and egg yields.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2017

More exact, ethical method to tell the sex of baby chickens

Researchers have developed a non-destructive imaging technique to accurately determine the sex of baby chickens within four days of hatching, promising to reduce animal welfare concerns. The technique uses optical spectroscopy to identify gender-specific biochemical differences in embryonic blood, with an accuracy rate of 93%.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry·DateDec 15, 2016

Scientists improve predictions of how temperature affects the survival of fish embryos

Researchers have developed a new model to predict the survival of fish embryos in high temperatures, taking into account the relationship between egg size and water flow. The study found that larger eggs require more oxygen and can survive in slower-flowing waters, but this relationship is not always consistent with laboratory results.

SourceNOAA Fisheries West Coast Region·JournalEcology Letters·DateDec 6, 2016