-
Turmeric could have antiviral properties
Curcumin, a natural compound found in the spice turmeric, could help eliminate certain viruses, research has found. A study showed that curcumin can prevent Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) — an alpha-group coronavirus that infects pigs — from infecting cells. At higher doses, the compound was also found to kill virus particles. A study published in…
-
Protecting natural forest in oil palm plantations crucial for conservation
A study has found that patches of protected forest on oil palm plantations play an important role in helping to conserve endangered species including hornbill birds and dipterocarp trees. The study, led by the University of York, found that patches of protected forest play an important role in helping to conserve endangered species including hornbill…
-
African lion counts miss the mark, but new method shows promise
The current technique used for counting lion populations for research and conservation efforts doesn’t add up, according to a researcher. He has been investigating new methods of photographing and reviewing data to count lions. But UQ PhD candidate Mr Alexander Braczkowski has been investigating new methods of photographing and reviewing data analytics to count lions.…
-
Can’t find your keys? You need a chickadee brain
Researchers have shown that there is a genetic component underlying the amazing spatial memories of Mountain Chickadees. Although the genetic basis for spatial memory has been shown for humans and other mammals, direct evidence of that connection has never before been identified in birds. These findings were just published in the journal Current Biology. The…
-
Neanderthal nuclear DNA retrieved from sediments helps unlock ancient human history
Researchers have retrieved Neanderthal nuclear DNA from cave deposits in northern Spain and southern Siberia, yielding new clues to the population history of Neanderthals. With the advent of nuclear DNA analyses of sediments, similar studies at other sites can provide new insights into the deep human past that do not rely on the discovery of…
-
Bee appearance and behavior may be related, genetic study reveals
The findings will be used to help researchers determine how traits, characteristics and color impact behavior. A new UF/IFAS study identified genetic characteristics relevant to the production and behavioral attributes of these two key bee subspecies. For example, researchers found Cape bees to be significantly darker than Africanized bees. This dark coloring could be genetically…
-
Behold the humble water flea, locked in a battle of mythological proportions
Biologists sized up an unlikely natural phenomenon: when parasitism actually causes the number of hosts to increase, an effect known as a hydra effect. A study of common water fleas and their fungal parasites includes laboratory components and an analysis of 13 fungal epidemics in nature. The scientists use consumer-resource theory to explain why —…
-
Less than 1% probability that Earths energy imbalance increase occurred naturally
Sunlight in, reflected and emitted energy out. That’s the fundamental energy balance sheet for our planet — and for decades, it has been out of balance. The extra energy manifests as higher temperatures, rising sea levels, floods, droughts, more powerful blizzards and hurricanes, and deadlier extreme events. Not only is the imbalance growing, but there’s…
-
Gene-edited chicken cells resist bird flu virus in the lab
Scientists have used gene-editing techniques to stop the bird flu virus from spreading in chicken cells grown in the lab. The team prevented the virus from taking hold by deleting a section of chicken DNA inside lab-grown cells. The findings raise the possibility of producing gene-edited chickens that are resistant to the disease. Researchers prevented…
-
Key player in hepatitis A virus infection
Researchers designed experiments using gene-editing tools to discover how molecules called gangliosides serve as de facto gatekeepers to allow the virus entry into liver cells and trigger disease. The research, published in Nature Microbiology, has revealed gangliosides as a key player in HAV and has led to several other questions, such as how exactly viral…