A recent study led by USC Stem Cell scientist Janos Peti-Peterdi reveals that a loss of salt and body fluid can stimulate kidney regeneration and repair in mice. This groundbreaking research, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, uncovers an innate regenerative response driven by a small population of kidney cells known as the macula … Read more
Primates, including humans, have notably larger brains compared to most other mammals. For decades, scientists have speculated that diet, particularly the consumption of fruit, played a crucial role in the evolution of these larger brains. A groundbreaking study from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute now suggests that … Read more
Published today in the Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, a groundbreaking study has unveiled evidence of an “Age of Monotremes” in Australia, unearthed by a collaborative team from the Australian Museum (AM), Museums Victoria, and the Australian Opal Centre. This discovery, spearheaded by Professor Tim Flannery, Honorary Associate of the Australian Museum, and Professor … Read more
Scattered across the Penobscot Experimental Forest are veritable treasure troves for its denizens, each containing riches beyond comprehension. These caches do not contain gold or jewels—they’re filled with eastern white pine seeds and were placed by a team of researchers at the University of Maine for one purpose: to catch furry thieves red-handed. Brigit Humphreys, … Read more
Insects and microorganisms that feed on plants, cut up leaves, modify leaf tissue or produce leaf spots and other kinds of damage, are usually known as pests and considered harmful, yet interactions between plants and their natural enemies are important sources of biodiversity. In tropical forests, for example, these “pests” are part of large ecological … Read more
Animal development, also known as embryonic development, encompasses the complex processes through which a single fertilized egg cell transforms into a multicellular organism with distinct tissues, organs, and body structures. This intricate journey involves cellular differentiation, tissue organization, morphogenetic movements, and regulatory mechanisms that orchestrate the formation of body axes, germ layers, organ systems, and … Read more
Aquatic biology is a branch of biology that focuses on the study of life in water environments, encompassing a wide range of organisms, ecosystems, and processes that thrive in aquatic habitats. From the smallest microorganisms to the largest marine mammals, aquatic biology explores the diversity, adaptations, interactions, and ecological dynamics of aquatic life across freshwater, … Read more
Comparative anatomy is a branch of biology that involves the study of anatomical structures and systems across different species to understand evolutionary relationships, adaptations, functional morphology, and biological diversity. By comparing the anatomy of organisms from various taxonomic groups, researchers can gain insights into evolutionary patterns, developmental processes, physiological functions, and ecological adaptations that have … Read more
Developmental biology is a fascinating field that explores the processes governing the growth, differentiation, and organization of cells into complex multicellular organisms. From the moment of fertilization, when a sperm cell fuses with an egg cell, to the formation of fully functional organs and tissues, developmental biology seeks to unravel the intricate molecular, cellular, and … Read more
Biogeography is the scientific study of the distribution of species and biodiversity across space and through time. It examines the patterns and processes that shape the distribution of organisms on Earth, from the smallest microbes to the largest mammals. Biogeographers investigate how factors such as climate, geology, evolutionary history, and human activities influence where species … Read more
Zoology is the branch of biology that focuses on the study of animals, their behavior, physiology, classification, evolution, and distribution. It encompasses a vast array of organisms, from microscopic protozoa to large mammals, and explores the diversity of life on Earth. Zoologists investigate the structure, function, ecology, and behavior of animals in order to understand … Read more
The history of life on Earth spans billions of years, from the formation of our planet to the evolution of diverse life forms. This epic tale of biological evolution is intertwined with geological events, environmental changes, extinction events, and the emergence of complex organisms. The story of life on Earth is a testament to the … Read more
Animal physiology is the branch of biology that focuses on understanding the biological functions and adaptations of animals, ranging from microscopic organisms to complex multicellular organisms. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including cellular processes, organ systems, homeostasis, metabolism, reproduction, behavior, and adaptations to diverse environments. By studying animal physiology, scientists gain insights into … Read more
For ages now, plants have been the primary source of nutrition for animals and mankind. Additionally, plants are used for the extraction of various medicinal and therapeutic compounds. However, their indiscriminate use, along with the rising demand for food, underscores the need for novel plant breeding practices. Advances in plant biotechnology can address the problems … Read more
Marine biology is the scientific study of life in the oceans and other saltwater environments. It is a multidisciplinary field that encompasses various branches of biology, including ecology, physiology, genetics, and oceanography, to understand the complex interactions between marine organisms and their habitats. With over 70% of the Earth’s surface covered by oceans, marine biology … Read more
California’s state fossil—are familiar to anyone who has ever visited Los Angeles’ La Brea Tar Pits, a sticky trap from which more than 2,000 saber-toothed cat skulls have been excavated over more than a century. Though few of the recovered skulls had sabers attached, a handful exhibited a peculiar feature: the tooth socket for the … Read more
Evolutionary theory, anchored in Charles Darwin’s seminal work “On the Origin of Species,” represents one of the most profound and influential concepts in the history of biology. Darwin’s theory revolutionized our understanding of the natural world, providing a unifying framework for explaining the diversity of life, the mechanisms of evolutionary change, and the interconnectedness of … Read more
Competition between species played a major role in the rise and fall of hominins—and produced a “bizarre” evolutionary pattern for the Homo lineage—according to a new University of Cambridge study that revises the start and end dates for many of our early ancestors. Conventionally, climate is held responsible for the emergence and extinction of hominin … Read more
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Reading has challenged the validity of Bergmann’s rule, a long-standing scientific principle from the 1800s. Bergmann’s rule proposes that animals in cooler, high-latitude climates tend to be larger than their counterparts in warmer climates. However, the fossil record examined in this study reveals a … Read more
Increasing shade cover over coffee plants can increase biodiversity and provide new ways to combine agriculture and conservation, a new study has revealed. Coffee grown in high shade, with more than 30% canopy cover, provides a home to more plant and animal species than coffee grown in the sun or on low shade farms with … Read more