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New snailfish genome reveals how they adapted to the pressures of deep-sea life
A new whole genome sequence for the Yap hadal snailfish provides insights into how the unusual fish survives in some of the deepest parts of the ocean. Animals living in deep-sea environments face many challenges, including high pressures, low temperatures, little food and almost no light. Fish are the only animals with a backbone that…
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Common household noises may be stressing your dog
Researchers have found that common household noises may be making dogs anxious. Owners may be underestimating their dog’s stress. The research found that high-frequency, intermittent noises such as the battery warning of a smoke detector are more likely to cause a dog anxiety, rather than low-frequency, continuous noise. «We know that there are a lot…
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Tooth cavities provide unique ecological insight into living primates and fossil humans
Tooth decay is a common and unfortunate problem for many of us, but two University of Otago studies show it is also an issue for other primates, as well as our fossil relatives and ancestors. Dr Ian Towle, the former Sir Thomas Sidey Postdoctoral Fellow in Otago’s Faculty of Dentistry, says cavities are often considered…
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Climate change could lead to power outages, higher power costs on west coast of US
Two studies project the future of power supply and demand on the West Coast under different scenarios: one under climate change and another where power sources shift toward renewables and the climate follows historic trends. «The impacts of climate change and extreme weather events on the grid, mostly in the form of drought and heat…
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Novel nanoantibiotics kill bacteria without harming healthy cells
The CDC estimates more than 2.8 million Americans experience antibiotic-resistant infections each year. To address this critical issue, researchers recently investigated whether a series of novel nanoparticles can kill some pathogens that lead to infection without affecting healthy cells. To address this critical and worldwide public health issue, a team of researchers led by Hongjun…
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Globe’s glaciers have less ice than previously thought, researchers find
Research revises estimates of glacial ice volume, suggesting that there is less ice in the world’s glaciers than previously thought. The findings have implications on freshwater and global sea level rise. The worldwide survey, published in Nature Geoscience, measures the velocity and depth of more than 250,000 mountain glaciers. The research revises earlier estimates of…
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Sugar promotes sperm longevity in pig reproductive tract
For many livestock species, artificial insemination (AI) is standard. But it can be tricky to achieve success the first time, thanks to variability in ovulation timing across the herd. A new study identifies a naturally occurring sugar that slows the maturation of sperm in pigs, opening up the possibility of extending sperm storage time within…
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Tracking down the origin of cholera pandemics
The bacterium Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of the diarrheal disease cholera and is responsible for seven known pandemics. The seventh cholera pandemic began in 1961 and is still active. Unlike previous pandemics, it is caused by cholera strains of a slightly different type. How did the modified cholera strains develop and spread, and…
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Site of biggest ever meteorite collision in the UK discovered
Scientists believe they have discovered the site of the biggest meteorite impact ever to hit the British Isles. Evidence for the ancient, 1.2 billion years old, meteorite strike, was first discovered in 2008 near Ullapool, NW Scotland by scientists from Oxford and Aberdeen Universities. The thickness and extent of the debris deposit they found suggested…
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New research demonstrates high value ‘injurious weeds’ can bring to pollinators
New research compares the biodiversity value of plants classed as ‘injurious weeds’ against those stipulated by DEFRA for pollinator targeted agri-environmental options. The findings show that the abundance and diversity of pollinators visiting weed species are far higher than DEFRA recommended plants. Dr Nicholas Balfour and Professor Francis Ratnieks compared the biodiversity value of plants…