ScienceDaily: Plants & Animals News


'Once-in-a generation' tardigrade fossil discovery reveals new species in 16-million-year-old amber

Posted: 05 Oct 2021 04:10 PM PDT

They've famously survived the vacuum of space, and even returned to life after being frozen for decades in Antarctic moss. But as hard as it is to kill the bizarre microscopic animal, the tardigrade, it's harder to find one fossilized. In fact, only two have ever been discovered and formally named -- until now.

New way to image whole organisms in 3D brings key skin color pigment into focus

Posted: 05 Oct 2021 02:54 PM PDT

To understand the biological underpinnings of skin and hair pigmentation and related diseases such as albinism or melanoma, scientists and doctors need quantitative, three-dimensional information about the architecture, content and location of pigment cells. Researchers have developed a new technique that allows scientists to visualize every cell containing melanin pigment in 3D, in whole zebrafish.

Weed goes off script to resist herbicides

Posted: 05 Oct 2021 02:53 PM PDT

Cementing waterhemp's reputation as a hard-to-kill weed in corn and soybean production systems, researchers have now documented the weed deviating from standard detoxification strategies to resist an herbicide that has never been commercialized.

Gene linked to evolution of limb development identified

Posted: 05 Oct 2021 09:48 AM PDT

A new study gives insight into how limb development evolved in vertebrates. The findings identify a gene that plays a central role in the evolution of limb development in vertebrates. By manipulating this gene in mice, researchers were able to activate an ancestral form of limb development seen in early tetrapods (four-legged vertebrates).

Growing potential for toxic algal blooms in the Alaskan Arctic

Posted: 05 Oct 2021 09:47 AM PDT

Changes in the northern Alaskan Arctic ocean environment have reached a point at which a previously rare phenomenon -- widespread blooms of toxic algae -- could become more commonplace, potentially threatening a wide range of marine wildlife and the people who rely on local marine resources for food. That is the conclusion of a new study about harmful algal blooms (HABs) of the toxic algae Alexandrium catenella.

Genes are individualists, not collectivists, during early fruit fly development

Posted: 05 Oct 2021 09:47 AM PDT

Active genes do not form clusters and share resources during early development in the fruit fly, according to a new study.

Spider silk’s supposed 'healing properties' might have no basis in science

Posted: 05 Oct 2021 09:47 AM PDT

As far back as ancient Rome, spider silk has been used as a remedy to treat everything from skin lesions to warts. In the past, doctors have covered open wounds in cobwebs or advised patients to place cocoons on infected teeth. In modern times, however, the literature contains conflicting reports of whether or not spider silk has antimicrobial properties. Researchers have now revisited these old experiments and debunk the myth of antibiotic spider silk.

Worm mothers provide milk for their young

Posted: 05 Oct 2021 09:47 AM PDT

As worm mothers age, they secrete a milk-like fluid through their vulva that is consumed by their offspring and supports their growth, according to a new study.

The microbiome: Battle of the bugs

Posted: 05 Oct 2021 07:18 AM PDT

Scientists have shown that, depending on the composition of the microbiome, E. coli bacteria can prevent infections by Salmonella strains.

Natural compound in basil may protect against Alzheimer’s disease pathology

Posted: 05 Oct 2021 07:18 AM PDT

Fenchol, a natural compound abundant in some plants including basil, can help protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease pathology, a preclinical study suggests. The team discovered a sensing mechanism associated with the gut microbiome that explains how fenchol reduces neurotoxicity in the Alzheimer's brain.