Twisted light from the beginning of time could reveal brand-new physics
A twist in the universe’s first light could hint that scientists need to rethink physics. A pair of Japanese scientists looked at the polarization or orientation of light from the cosmic microwave background radiation, some of the earliest light emitted after the universe’s birth. They found the polarization of photons, or light particles, might be […]
Tree Rings Reveal How Ancient Forests Were Managed
Clear-cutting a forest is relatively easy—just pick a tree and start chopping. But there are benefits to more sophisticated forest management. One technique—which involves repeatedly harvesting smaller trees every 30 or so years but leaving an upper story of larger trees for longer periods (60, 90, or 120 years)—ensures a steady supply of […]
Scientists reveal mechanism that causes irritable bowel syndrome — ScienceDaily
KU Leuven researchers have identified the biological mechanism that explains why some people experience abdominal pain when they eat certain foods. The finding paves the way for more efficient treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and other food intolerances. The study, carried out in mice and humans, was published in Nature. Up to 20% of the […]
Neptune’s bumpy childhood could reveal our solar system’s missing planets
This image was taken by Voyager 2, and features its Great Dark Spot and a bright moving spot colloquially called Scooter. (NASA/JPL/) The modern solar system spins serenely, the planets locked in seemingly eternal circles around the sun. But it wasn’t always so. This tranquility appears to have emerged only after a gladiatorial period of […]
Chandra observations reveal extraordinary magnetar
This image contains an exceptional magnetar, a type of neutron star with very powerfulmagnetic fields. Astronomers have found evidence that this object may be the youngest knownmagnetar (about 500 years old in Earth’s timeframe). It is also the fastest rotating one yet discovered(spinning about 1.4 times per second). This image shows the magnetar in X-rays […]
Genomes reveal insights into much-loved Aussie animals
The genomes of egg-laying monotreme mammals, platypus and echidna, have been published in the prestigious journal Nature, providing a valuable public resource for research in mammalian biology and evolution, with applications for their conservation and health. Monotremes display a unique mix of mammalian and reptilian features and form the most distantly related, and least understood, […]
Weedy Seadragon genomics reveal highly distinct populations
Charismatic, iconic and Instagram-friendly, the weedy seadragon is a favourite with divers and snorkellers. The first genomic study of east coast Australian seadragon populations can now reveal “weedies” from NSW, Victoria and Tasmania are significantly different. The study, published in PLOS ONE, also reveals that Victorian weedy seadragons may form a subspecies which has […]
Weedy Seadragon genomics reveal highly distinct populations — ScienceDaily
Charismatic, iconic and Instagram-friendly, the weedy seadragon is a favourite with divers and snorkellers. The first genomic study of east coast Australian seadragon populations can now reveal “weedies” from NSW, Victoria and Tasmania are significantly different. The study, published in PLOS ONE, also reveals that Victorian weedy seadragons may form a subspecies which has implications […]
Light-controlled genes could reveal how gut bacteria impact health — ScienceDaily
Baylor College of Medicine researcher Meng Wang had already shown that bacteria that make a metabolite called colanic acid (CA) could extend the lifespan of worms in her lab by as much as 50%, but her collaboration with Rice University synthetic biologist Jeffrey Tabor is providing tools to answer the bigger question of how the […]
Researchers reveal the first cryo-EM structures of NSD2 and NSD3 in complex with nucleosome
Credit: Nature The nuclear receptor–binding SET Domain (NSD) family protein is closely connected with many cancers. However, their molecular mechanism remains unknown. Recently, SUSTech research team made new achievements in the study of the cryo-EM structures of NSD2 and NSD3 in complex with nucleosome, which provided molecular insights into the nucleosome based recognition and histone-modification […]
