Articles tagged with Animals
Dr. David Bartel and colleagues have identified 16 novel miRNAs in Arabidopsis that regulate gene expression during development. The researchers demonstrate a plant homologue of the Dicer enzyme, CARPEL FACTORY (CAF), which processes plant miRNAs with sequence and structural similarities to animal miRNAs.
Scientists discovered a receptor tyrosine kinase in single-celled choanoflagellates, a group of protists with characteristics similar to those of multicellular animals. The finding provides strong support for the hypothesis that choanoflagellates are closely related to metazoans and may represent modern examples of animal ancestors.
Researchers propose that early animal life evolved to thrive in unique Cambrian environments with microbial mats. This new perspective suggests alternative evolutionary explanations for the development of strange morphologies, such as those seen in helicoplacoids, the earliest known echinoderms.
Arctic ground squirrels experience long periods of torpor punctuated by costly rewarming periods. Hibernation is about finding rest, not conserving energy, according to zoophysiologist Brian Barnes.