Articles tagged with Evolutionary Processes
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
A recent study has shown that the mutual symbiosis between bacteria and fungi can be fragile, as a specific protein maintains the balance. When this protein is absent, the bacteria are trapped within fungal hyphae and die.
A study by Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior found that American mink can regain almost full ancestral brain size within 50 generations after escaping captivity. This reverses the long-held assumption that domestication causes permanent brain size loss in animals.
A new computer simulation suggests that domestic cats' noses function similarly to parallel coiled gas chromatographs, enabling efficient odor detection. This finding deepens understanding of how the evolution of convoluted channels enabled mammals' enhanced sense of smell.
Researchers found that mammals' stiff lower jawbones provide a unique advantage in terms of stiffness, but restrict options for evolution. Despite this limitation, mammals have adapted to eat various foods, rivaling the dietary diversity of vertebrates with multiple bones in their jaws.
A large-scale camera-trap survey reveals that tropical mammals living inside protected areas are not spared the effects of human activity, with specialist species thriving near low-density habitats and generalist species benefiting from diverse environments. The study informs biodiversity policy and highlights the importance of conside...
Researchers compared developmental time across six species, including humans and mice, to find that embryonic duration is a key factor. They also discovered correlations between evolutionary history and segmentation clock periods.
A 225-million-year-old Brazilian fossil provides the oldest evidence of air sacs in dinosaurs, which enabled these creatures to grow into giants. The discovery sheds light on how these structures evolved over time, contradicting previous assumptions about their development.
Scientists used CRISPR interference to study gene function in human and chimp stem cells, discovering genes essential for cell cycle regulation that are absent in humans. This approach sheds light on the evolution of human brain development and highlights the importance of studying gene interactions over DNA sequences.
Researchers investigated the dynamical evolution of EPR steering in a dissipative environment with different non-Markovian degrees, confirming the recovering ability dependent on non-Markovianity. The study reveals the influence of memory effects on EPR steering in open systems, deepening our understanding of its directional property.
A neuroscientific team mapped the brain's response to changing conditions, revealing a critical role for sensory regions in decision-making. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that cognitive flexibility evolved early in the development of the brain, with similarities observed between humans and mice.
The Chinmo gene plays a crucial role in establishing the juvenile stage in insects, promoting tissue growth during this stage. The study also reveals that the Chinmo, Br-C, and E93 genes coordinate the formation of adult organs through sequential action, which may hold key to understanding cancer processes.
Scientists have discovered where the first butterflies originated and which plants they relied on for food, tracing their movements through time. The results show that butterflies first appeared in Central and western North America, with some groups traveling vast distances while others remained stationary.
Researchers found that modern dog breeds, which are genetically more distant from wolves, have relatively larger brain sizes compared to ancient breeds. This increase in brain size cannot be attributed to the roles or life history characteristics of the breeds.
Researchers evolved single-celled snowflake yeast into massive multicellular organisms over 3,000 generations. The yeast grew larger and stronger, with novel material properties, due to a unique biomechanical mechanism of entanglement where cells wrapped around each other.
Researchers studying the mudskipper, a fish that spends time on land, found that its blinking behavior serves similar functions as in humans and other tetrapods. The study suggests that blinking may have evolved as part of the suite of traits that allowed early tetrapods to adapt to life on land.
Researchers used NASA InSight data to directly measure Mars' core properties, finding a completely liquid iron-alloy core with high percentages of sulfur and oxygen. This discovery provides new insights into Martian formation and geological differences between Earth and Mars, potentially impacting planetary habitability.
The concept of nature's chefs offers a new perspective on species interactions, highlighting the diversity of food-making and preparing species across the tree of life. This interdisciplinary approach aims to inform how people think about food across various disciplines.
Early mammals reduced skull bones to redirect stresses during feeding, allowing brain size increase. The combination of miniaturization, reduced skull bones and insect-based diet enabled ancestors to thrive before dinosaurs' extinction.
A team led by Bill Ballard has published a new study in GigaScience to propose Cooinda, an Alpine dingo, as the model specimen to represent a typical dingo. The study presents genomic and brain imaging data that sheds light on the evolutionary history of dingoes and their domestication process.
A research team from Germany, Austria, Canada, and the USA analyzed Troodon eggshells using a new method, revealing that they were produced at temperatures of 42°C and 30°C. The findings suggest that Troodon females laid eggs in communal nests, similar to modern ostriches.
A new study reveals that the squash bee has evolved in response to increased agriculture, particularly squash cultivation. This adaptation allowed its population to expand significantly, making it an essential pollinator of these crops.
A new strategy balances disease control with resistance management by balancing resistance to both fungicides until it increases enough to fail. The approach is robust to variations in parameters and could influence policy recommendations.
A new study finds that supernovae have a persistent influence on marine life's biodiversity, with variations in nearby exploding stars closely following changes in marine genera. Supernovae may regulate climate through cosmic rays, influencing nutrient transport and primary bioproductivity.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University identify vital differences between the plants, including pollinators and lifespan, confirming their classification. The study highlights the importance of recognizing every species for conservation programs.
Researchers found that mesophotic reefs differ from shallower counterparts, suggesting a strong ecological filter between depths. The study highlights the need to expand marine protections for coral reefs beyond shallow waters, emphasizing the unique biodiversity and vulnerability of deeper ecosystems.
A recent study by Kobe University researchers discovered that a leafless epiphytic orchid can conduct sophisticated photosynthesis through its roots, similar to leaves. The discovery reveals that the plant's roots carry out photosynthesis in a crassulacean acid metabolism manner.
Researchers found that snake species distribution in the Chaco region correlates with adaptations, such as fossorial habits for burrowing and arboreal traits. The study showed that southern species have small eyes and short tails, while northern species have long tails and are tree dwellers.
Biologists from the University of Pennsylvania explored how symbiotic relationships between species evolve to become specific or general, cooperative or antagonistic. They found that cooperative partnering strategies could persist in populations with one specialized host and a corresponding specialized symbiont.
A study by Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers found that group-living mammals live longer than solitary ones, with a 100-fold variation in longevity among species. The team identified 31 genes and pathways linked to both social organization and lifespan.
A study at Nagoya University found that specific neurons in fruit flies process and distinguish between different courtship songs, differing between species. The researchers used calcium imaging to determine how these neurons respond to different courtship songs, finding that the responses varied between species.
A 319-million-year-old fossilized fish has provided the oldest example of a well-preserved vertebrate brain, shedding new light on the neural anatomy and early evolution of ray-finned fishes. The discovery reveals that brain evolution in these animals unfolded more complexly than previously thought.
A recent study published in Nature Climate Change has discovered that hybridization between species can help vulnerable populations adapt to climate change. Hybrid populations have been found to contain more genetic diversity, making them less susceptible to extinction due to environmental changes.
The endangered Amami rabbit plays a key role in dispersing seeds for the non-photosynthetic Balanophora yuwanensis plant. Researchers observed that the rabbit consumed both dry fruits and vegetative tissue from the plant, suggesting it serves as a major seed disperser incentivized by the plant's vegetative tissues.
Researchers at the University of Cologne discovered that bacterial membrane potential changes during biofilm formation, correlating with increased antibiotic tolerance. The study found characteristic patterns of polarization that evolve in space and time, which are linked to a change in oxygen availability.
Scientists reveal phase-transition-temperature-dependent structure evolution process of intermetallic compounds, a crucial step in synthesizing efficient fuel cell electrocatalysts. The research provides a guideline to optimize alloying and ordering processes, leading to improved particle sizes and catalytic activity.
The CNIC study reveals two distinct mechanisms by which cells detect and respond to forces of varying strength, one mediated by caveolae and the other by newly discovered dolines. This finding has significant implications for understanding pathological processes such as atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that 24% of surveyed red giants experienced structural discontinuities, affecting their oscillations and star's internal composition. The study aims to refine stellar models and uncover the history of the universe through detailed stellar fossil records.
A study on extinct lemurs has found surprising similarities between ancient primate species and fossil humans. The 'monkey lemur' had novel anatomical features, including tooth chipping patterns similar to those of Neanderthals, suggesting a more complex diet than previously thought.
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured infrared images of a population of red spiral galaxies at unprecedented resolution, revealing their morphology in detail. These galaxies are among the farthest known spiral galaxies and suggest that such spiral galaxies existed in large numbers in the early universe.
A study published in PLoS Genetics reveals the mechanism by which a selfish gene in yeast, wtf4, enables its function using a poison-antidote strategy. This strategy involves the production of poison protein that can kill spores, but is countered by an antidote protein produced only by those spores that inherit the drive allele.
A WVU study found that children from non-traditional family structures, such as single-parent households and multi-generational families, face difficulties accessing healthcare. The research highlights the need for providers to be aware of the unique challenges faced by these families and to adapt their services accordingly.
Researchers at Uppsala University have discovered a crucial DNA sequence in jawed vertebrates that plays a major role in shaping the joint surfaces during embryonic development. This finding has significant implications for understanding the evolution of vertebrate jaws, which is believed to have occurred around 423 million years ago.
A new study by Arizona State University researchers found that females with higher social status had younger, more resilient molecular profiles in their brains. The study used rhesus macaques and showed a key link between the social environment and healthy brains, providing new insights into aging.
An interdisciplinary team will uncover complex biological systems and develop tools to globally document coral reef health changes. The research aims to understand how herbivory rate at the ecosystem scale emerges and shapes the ecosystem, ultimately informing management of ecosystems.
The 'Nature's Envelope' is a simple model that depicts the scope and scale of biology by compiling information about all living organisms' processes. The model plots sizes of participants and durations of processes on a logarithmic grid, revealing broad S-shaped envelope encompassing half of decadal blocks.
A new study published in Collective Intelligence journal suggests that evolutionary forces may be fueling collective tendencies to discriminate. The research recommends fostering environments where desired behavior emerges naturally through evolutionary dynamics rather than regulating against undesired outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered that yeast releases toxins to kill its own clones and surrounding microorganisms when starved of glucose, a phenomenon called latecomer killing. This behavior helps yeast survive mass starvation and aids in the selection of toxin-producing offspring.
Researchers at UNIST developed superaerophobic polyethyleneimine hydrogels to improve electrochemical hydrogen production by promoting bubble detachment. These hydrogels can be easily coated on electrodes, allowing for controlled pore size and porosity, leading to enhanced performance.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have identified several new species of sunbirds, including the Wakatobi Sunbird, found on tiny Indonesian islands. The study reveals unique evolutionary processes and adds to our understanding of the importance of biodiversity in this region.
Engineers at Rice University have discovered a method to make oxygen evolution catalysis in acids more economical and practical. They replaced rare and expensive iridium with ruthenium, a far more abundant precious metal, as the positive-electrode catalyst in a reactor that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
A study by Lund University found that males and females have different interests in group living, with males thriving in smaller groups and females benefiting from larger ones. This difference affects cooperation and competition, with males driven by rivalry and females by mutual support.
Researchers at UTA analyzed how seven reef-building coral species in the Caribbean respond to white plague disease, identifying three consistent patterns of gene expression and adaptation. The study provides a novel framework for understanding broad coral disease resistance traits and their relationship to immune responses.
A new study found that dogs can differentiate between breath and sweat samples from people before and after a stress-inducing task with an accuracy of 93.75%. The researchers believe that dogs are able to detect changes in volatile organic compounds produced by humans in response to stress.
Researchers located four new craters created by impacts on Mars' surface using data from a seismometer and visuals acquired from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This is the first time that researchers have captured the dynamics of an impact on Mars.
A Hebrew University study reveals that desert isopods, when predators like scorpions are nearby, prefer larger females but settle for smaller ones instead. Males also adjust their behavior, with smaller males opting for second-best females closer to the predator.
Paleontologists at the University of Malaga have found that humans uniquely combine increased brain size with a juvenile cranial shape. The analysis of four new hominid fossils and modern great ape samples shows changes in cranial development, including a negative growth of the neurocranium and a positive growth of the splanchnocranium.
Scientists have discovered a slowing of continental plate movement was the critical event that enabled magma to rise to the surface and deliver devastating knock-on impacts. This fundamental process controlled the evolution of climate and life on Earth throughout its history.
Scientists found that weedy rice has developed herbicide resistance through gene flow from crop rice, with most fields showing resistant plants within 20 years of herbicide-resistant rice cultivation. This rapid evolution is due to the close proximity of weedy and crop rice in the same fields, allowing for pollen transfer and outcrossing.
Scientists discovered that the galaxy stopped forming stars because most of its gas fuel was thrown out of the system as it merged with another galaxy. The result is a first for ALMA scientists and challenges long-held theories about galaxy mergers and deaths.
Scientists studied lightning's impact on Panama Canal forests, finding that some tree species, like palms, are more likely to die after a strike. Others, with denser wood and larger water vessels, are more resistant and may even store more carbon.