Science & Technology

Despite the prevalent view that some 98% of our genome is junk DNA, new research shows that one piece of junk DNA — the promoter of a virus-based transposon — plays a critical role in cell proliferation and timing of embryo implantation in mice. The …

Researchers have found that the benefits of migration have been eroded by the effects of climate change and human pressure.

Plants need water to grow. So if there’s water, shouldn’t there be more plants? New research shows it’s a lot more complicated than that.

With future space exploration in mind, a team of astronomers has published the final maps of Titan’s liquid methane rivers and tributaries — as seen by NASA’s late Cassini mission — so that may help provide context for Dragonfly’s upcoming 2030s expe…

Engineers have built multi-legged robots capable of maneuvering in challenging environments and accomplishing difficult tasks collectively, mimicking their natural-world counterparts.

New methods of detecting ultra-low frequency gravitational waves can be combined with other, less sensitive measurements to deliver fresh insights into the early development of our universe, according to researchers.

A study suggests our brains are not optimized to calculate the shortest possible route when navigating on foot. Instead, pedestrians use vector-based navigation, choosing ‘pointiest’ paths that point most directly toward their destination, even if the …

A team of materials scientists and chemists has determined the proper stack pressure that lithium metal batteries, or LMBs, need to be subjected to during battery operation in order to produce optimal performance.

Over the last few decades, scientists have discovered that long-term calorie restriction provides a wealth of benefits in animals. Researchers have largely assumed that reduced food intake drove these benefits by reprogramming metabolism. But a new stu…

Circadian clocks, which regulate most of the physiological processes of living beings over a rhythm of about 24 hours, are one of the most fundamental biological mechanisms. By deciphering the cell migration mechanisms underlying the immune response, s…

Worldwide, lake temperatures are rising and seasonal ice cover is shorter and thiner. This effects lake ecosystems, drinking water supply and fishing. International research now shows that these global changes in lake temperature and ice cover are not …

Are animals born to seek rewards or avoid punishment? Researchers found that mice have pre-programmed neurons and circuits that process ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ stimuli. Their findings may be useful for studying neurological and psychiatric disorders …

A recent study examining the therapeutic potential of photoreceptor precursors, derived from clinically compliant induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), has demonstrated the safety and therapeutic potential of clinically compliant iPSC-derived photorec…

The variety of humble algae that cover the surface of ponds and seas could hold the key to boosting the efficiency of artificial photosynthesis, allowing scientists to produce more energy and lower waste in the process. A study showed how encasing alga…

A new study examines how the extracellular matrix (ECM) — an underlying network of molecules and proteins that provide the structure for tissue growth — can trigger invasive cancer-related genes.

A research team led by Dr Karen Wing Yee YUEN, Associate Professor from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), revealed the mechanism of artificial chromosome (AC) formation in the embryos of the model organism Caenorha…

While the onion, garlic, scallion, shallot and chives have been on our plates for centuries, becoming staple foods around the world, their group, the genus Allium, seems to be a long way from running out of surprises. Recently, a group of researchers f…

Interviews with two dozen emergency medicine residents in academic medical center found most placed importance on learning to deliver high-quality care to diverse populations. However, many did not feel their programs made enough effort to incorporate …

Scientists have gained new insights into the diet, population density and social interactions of a group of Brazilian jaguars.