Having more women in agriculture is associated with greater community well-being, according to researchers. Their work suggests that women farmers approach their operations in ways that positively impact their communities. ​Having more women in agriculture is associated with greater community well-being, according to researchers. Their work suggests that women farmers approach their operations in ways …

Women farmers quantitatively linked to better community well-being Read More »

As the potter works the spinning wheel, the friction between their hands and the soft clay helps them shape it into all kinds of forms and creations. In a fascinating parallel, sea squirt oocytes (immature egg cells) harness friction within various compartments in their interior to undergo developmental changes after conception. ​As the potter works …

Stranger than friction: A force initiating life Read More »

Analysis of iron meteorites from the earliest years of the solar system indicate that the planetary ‘seeds’ that ultimately formed Earth contained water. ​Analysis of iron meteorites from the earliest years of the solar system indicate that the planetary ‘seeds’ that ultimately formed Earth contained water. Analysis of iron meteorites from the earliest years of the …

Meteorite analysis shows Earth’s building blocks contained water Read More »

A feeding method of the extinct jawless heterostracans, among the oldest of vertebrates, has been examined and dismissed by scientists, using fresh techniques. ​A feeding method of the extinct jawless heterostracans, among the oldest of vertebrates, has been examined and dismissed by scientists, using fresh techniques. A feeding method of the extinct jawless heterostracans, among the …

Feeding mode of ancient vertebrate tested for first time Read More »

To function properly, the genetic material is highly organized into loop structures that often bring together widely separated sections of the genome critical to the regulation of gene activity. Scientists now address how these loops can help repress or silence gene activity, with potentially far-reaching effects on human health. ​To function properly, the genetic material …

Study throws our understanding of gene regulation for a loop Read More »

A molecule sourced from funnel web spider venom shows promise as a safe and effective future drug for heart attacks. ​A molecule sourced from funnel web spider venom shows promise as a safe and effective future drug for heart attacks. A molecule sourced from funnel web spider venom shows promise as a safe and effective future …

Spider venom heart drug a step closer Read More »

Though natural fertilizers made from treated sewage sludge are used to reintroduce nutrients onto agricultural fields, they bring along microplastic pollutants too. And according to a small-scale study, more plastic particles get picked up by the wind than once thought. Researchers have discovered that the microplastics are released from fields more easily than similarly sized …

Microplastics from natural fertilizers are blowing in the wind more often than once thought Read More »

A person’s hearing can be damaged by loud noise, aging and even certain medications, with little recourse beyond a hearing aid or cochlear implant. ​A person’s hearing can be damaged by loud noise, aging and even certain medications, with little recourse beyond a hearing aid or cochlear implant. A person’s hearing can be damaged by loud …

Could a drug prevent hearing loss from loud music and aging? Read More »