Why cats prefer sleeping on their left side—and how it might help them survive
Cats overwhelmingly choose to sleep on their left side, a habit researchers say could be tied to survival. This sleep position activates the brain’s right hemisphere upon waking, perfect for…
Defying Darwin: Scientists discover worms rewrote their DNA to survive on land
New research is shaking up our understanding of evolution by revealing that some species may not evolve gradually at all. Instead, scientists discovered that certain marine worms experienced an explosive…
With AI, researchers predict the location of virtually any protein within a human cell
Researchers developed a new machine learning method that, given a relevant amino acid sequence, can automatically predict the location of a protein in any human cell line down to the…
Genome of near-extinct northern white rhino offers hope for reviving the species
The northern white rhinoceros is one of the rarest animals on Earth, with just two females left and no natural way for the species to reproduce. Now, scientists have mapped…
Bees facing new threats, putting our survival and theirs at risk
A new report identifies the top 12 emerging threats that could accelerate pollinator losses within the next 5-15 years, according to ten of the world’s leading experts.
Modulation of antiviral response in fungi via RNA editing
The molecular pathways involved in antiviral defenses and counter-defenses in host-pathogen systems remain unclear. Researchers have used Neurospora crassa as a model organism to explore how RNA editing influences fungal…
Zika virus uses cells’ ‘self-care’ system to turn against host
A new study reveals the biological secret to the Zika virus’s infectious success: Zika uses host cells’ own ‘self-care’ system of clearing away useless molecules to suppress the host proteins…
Horses ‘mane’ inspiration for new generation of social robots
Interactive robots should not just be passive companions, but active partners — like therapy horses who respond to human emotion — say researchers.
HIV discovery could open door to long-sought cure
New HIV research shows that small changes in the virus affect how quickly or slowly it replicates and how easily it can reawaken in the body. These insights bring researchers…
Novel molecular maneuver helps malaria parasite dodge the immune system
Researchers have discovered how a parasite that causes malaria when transmitted through a mosquito bite can hide from the body’s immune system, sometimes for years. It turns out that the…