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Reduced antibody adaptability may make the elderly more vulnerable to influenza

The influenza vaccine may be less effective in the elderly because their B cells are less capable of producing antibodies that can adapt to protect against new viral strains, researchers report February 19 in the journal Cell Host & Microbe.

21 Feb 2019

Study gives a snapshot of crocodile evolution

The story that's often told about crocodiles is that they're among the most perfectly adapted creatures on the planet - living fossils that have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years.

21 Feb 2019

Protecting small forests will not maintain bird biodiversity over the long run, shows study

Simply protecting small forests will not maintain the diversity of the birds they support over the long run, a Rutgers-led study says. Forests need to be carefully monitored and managed to maintain their ecological integrity.

21 Feb 2019

Researchers unlock the secret behind reproduction of fish called ‘Mary’

A female stickleback fish, nick-named 'Mary', has produced offspring from eggs that appear to have been fertilized while they were still inside her, according to scientists at the University of Nottingham.

20 Feb 2019

Researchers uncover mechanisms that prevent tooth replacement in mice

Most reptiles and fish have multiple sets of teeth during their lifetime. However, most mammals, such as humans, have only one set of replacement teeth and some mammals, like mice, have only a single set with no replacement.

20 Feb 2019

Combination of common antibiotics can eliminate multi-drug resistant E. coli

A group of scientists in Denmark is trying to get one step ahead in the battle against antibiotic resistance.

20 Feb 2019

Harnessing the evolutionary games played by cancer cells to advance therapies

Despite rapid advances in targeted therapies for cancer, tumors commonly develop resistance to treatment. When resistance emerges, tumor cells continue to grow unchecked, despite all attempts to slow cancer progression.

19 Feb 2019

KU professor discusses promise of brain-computer interface to aid, restore communication

Brain-computer interfaces promise to restore communication for individuals with severe speech and physical impairments. Current brain computer interfaces share many features of high-tech, conventional augmentative and alternative communication systems, but via direct brain link.

17 Feb 2019

Scientists implicate hidden genes in the severity of autism symptoms

Scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have implicated a largely hidden part of the human genome in the severity of autism symptoms, a discovery that could lead to new insights into the disorder and eventually to clinical therapies for the condition.

15 Feb 2019

Longer-lived sperm produces offspring with healthier lifespans

Sperm that live for longer before fertilising an egg produce healthier offspring – according to new research from the University of East Anglia and Uppsala University in Sweden.

14 Feb 2019

Study: Prime real estate is determined by previous owner in the squirrel world

A young squirrel lucky enough to take over territory from an adult male squirrel is like a teenager falling into a big inheritance, according to a new University of Guelph study.

14 Feb 2019

Mountain chickadee research shows link between natural selection and spatial memory

Chickadees with better learning and memory skills, needed to find numerous food caches, are more likely to survive their first winter, a long-term study of mountain chickadees has found.

13 Feb 2019

New study provides insights into developmental organization of the brain

What makes us human, and where does this mysterious property of "humanness" come from? Humans are genetically similar to chimpanzees and bonobos, yet there exist obvious behavioral and cognitive differences.

13 Feb 2019

New research disproves previous assumptions of how looks influence personality

To what extent is our personality an adaptation to our appearance or even our physique? A team of scien-tists at the University of Göttingen has investigated this question.

13 Feb 2019

Marine snail venom reveals clues to developing faster-acting insulin for diabetic patients

Although moderately mobile, marine cone snails have perfected several strategies to capture prey. Some fish-hunting species release venom into the surrounding water.

12 Feb 2019

Over-abundance of energy to cells could increase cancer risk

It's well-known that obesity, diabetes and chronic inflammation are major risk factors for cancer. But just how cancer evolves in people with these diseases -- and why a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help prevent it -- is poorly understood.

12 Feb 2019