A single protein can reverse the developmental clock on adult brain cells called astrocytes, morphing them into stem-like cells that produce neurons and other cell types, UT Southwestern researchers report in a new study. The findings might someday lead to a way to regenerate brain tissue after disease or injury.

The paper discusses the significance of the newly designed voltage dependent calcium channel blockers. These channels facilitate the conversion of membrane electrical signals into Ca 2+ influx. This process helps in scenarios ranging from muscle contraction to synaptic transmission. These channel blockers are very important in aiding […]

Whole genome duplication (WGD) has occurred in relatively few sexually reproducing invertebrates. Consequently, the WGD that occurred in the common ancestor of horseshoe crabs ~135 million years ago provides a rare opportunity to decipher the evolutionary consequences of a duplicated invertebrate genome. Here, we present a high-quality genome assembly for the […]

“This paper presents a bioinspired landing system for autonomous aerial robots, built on the inspire–abstract–implement design paradigm and an additive manufacturing process for soft thermoplastic materials. This novel landing system consists of 3D printable Sarrus shock absorbers and soft landing pads which are integrated with an one-degree-of-freedom […]

This paper analyses how the microstructures and mechanical properties of horns can be related to different species’ fighting behaviours. 4 representative ruminant species: the bighorn sheep, domestic sheep, mountain goat and pronghorn were investigated. The mechanical properties of the horns under tensile stress […]

This paper describes how Cephalopods are capable of blending in with their environments through multiple layers of skin. Their camoflauge is unique because they can mimic color, movement, texture, and light, allowing them to blend in to a greater extent.

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The paper looks at the affects of the geometrically designed body of the killer whale, manta ray, and swordfish on their abilities to swim just below the surface of the water. The fusiform shape of the killer whale, diamond shape of the manta ray, and streamline shape […]

Over the past few years, biogenic methods for designing silver nanocomposites are in limelight due to their ability to generate semi-healthcare and para-pharmaceutical consumer goods. The present study reports the eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the hitherto unexplored mucus of territorial snail Achatina fulica by the facile, clean and easily […]

Mice with sloppy proteinmaking machinery grow old faster, study finds. Cells are continually cranking out new proteins, but like car factories, they produce some lemons. A study of mice now suggests these defective proteins speed aging, bolstering an idea first proposed 60 years ago. The new paper “fills a critical gap” […]

Suckerfish are known for hitchhiking on blue whales. Scientists recently discovered that suckerfish, contrary to previous belief, do not suction themselves to the bodies of blue whales. Instead, they hover above the whales’ skim that forms a low pressure zone that the suckerfish can ride effortlessly. This […]

Researchers from Duke University discovered that a sponge is a better incubator than a petri dish used in labs at providing the perfect environment for a great diversity of bacteria to thrive. It is not only that sponges are often dirty with food pieces left unwashed in there, it is also […]

Swimming speed of geometrically similar animals is independent of body size. Consequently, required time for a given period has direct correspondence to linear size of animals. In other words, stroke frequency is proportional to mass (f∝m^-1/3) or length (f∝l^-1) for energy efficient swimming.

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A long-standing goal of biology is the ability to predict gene expression from DNA sequence. A type of artificial intelligence known as a neural network, combined with high-throughput experiments, now brings this goal a step closer.

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The invertebrates ability to adapt to the environment during motion represents an intriguing feature to inspire robotic systems. We analysed the sipunculid speciesPhascolosoma stephensoni(Sipunculidae, Annelida), and quantitatively studied the motion behaviour of this unsegmented worm. The hydrostatic skeleton and the muscle activity make the infaunalP.stephensoniable to extrude part of its body […]

The PharmaSea, an EU-funded project, seeks to discover products that can cure infections and other diseases. They recently conducted this case study to determine which marine organisms are capable of producing biologically natural products to help treat human diseases. The results discovered in this case study are life-changing and can potentially […]

At this month’s Midday Science Cafe, we’ll learn about two new meat alternatives made from foods we already know and love: seaweed and mushrooms! First course: seaweed. Dr. Amanda Stiles from Berkeley Lab is researching ways to extract the protein from seaweeds and incorporate it into delicious new foods. The highly-digestible, […]

Centimetre-scale fliers must contend with the high power requirements of flapping flight. Insects have elastic elements in their thoraxes which may reduce the inertial costs of their flapping wings. Matching wingbeat frequency to a mechanical resonance can be energetically favourable, but also poses control challenges. Many insects use frequency modulation on […]

Swimming with penguins in the wild is a mind-blowing experience. When the ‘mini torpedoes’ hurtle past, you can barely make out the animals’ shape, let alone their movements. This was the problem faced by Hiroto Tanaka and colleagues from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, as they tried to understand how […]