As the oceans warm, deep-living algae are thriving – with major potential effects for the marine ecosystem

Tiny phytoplankton have an outsized influence on the entire ocean.

Xuerong Sun, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Marine Science, University of Exeter • conversation
Sept. 30, 2024 ~6 min

Sharks and rays leap out of the water for many reasons, including feeding, courtship and communication

Breaching is one of the most spectacular behaviors among marine animals. A recent review shows that many shark and ray species breach, and identifies the most commonly hypothesized reasons.

A. Peter Klimley, Adjunct Associate Professor of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis • conversation
Sept. 23, 2024 ~6 min


A two-dose schedule could make HIV vaccines more effective

MIT researchers find that the first dose primes the immune system, helping it to generate a strong response to the second dose, a week later.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Sept. 20, 2024 ~8 min

A new way to reprogram immune cells and direct them toward anti-tumor immunity

MIT scientists’ discovery yields a potent immune response, could be used to develop a potential tumor vaccine.

Danielle Randall Doughty | Department of Chemistry • mit
Sept. 16, 2024 ~6 min

Biobots arise from the cells of dead organisms − pushing the boundaries of life, death and medicine

Given the right conditions, certain types of cells are able to self-assemble into new lifeforms after the organism they were once part of has died.

Alex Pozhitkov, Senior Technical Lead of Bioinformatics, Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences at City of Hope • conversation
Sept. 12, 2024 ~8 min

Researchers don’t take enough account of variation in biology – doing so could unlock new understanding in science and medicine

New theory forces us to rethink some deeply ingrained concepts, such as life, death and disease.

Mauno Vihinen, Professor of Medical Structural Biology, Lund University • conversation
Sept. 10, 2024 ~7 min

Whales are recovering from near extinction, but industrial fishing around Antarctica competes for their sole food source

The Southern Ocean’s krill-rich waters attract multiple species of filter-feeding whales – and, increasingly, fishing boats.

Matthew Savoca, Research scientist, Stanford University • conversation
Sept. 10, 2024 ~5 min

Researchers doesn’t take enough account of variation in biology – doing so could unlock new understanding in science and medicine

New theory forces us to rethink some deeply ingrained concepts, such as life, death and disease.

Mauno Vihinen, Professor of Medical Structural Biology, Lund University • conversation
Sept. 10, 2024 ~7 min


Found dead in the snow − how microbes can help pinpoint time of death for forensic investigations in frigid conditions

An accurate estimate of when someone died is a critical part of forensic investigations. In extremely cold conditions, molecular biology can provide critical information where the naked eye cannot.

Lavinia Iancu, Assistant Professor of Forensic Science, Director of the Forensic Science Program, University of North Dakota • conversation
Sept. 9, 2024 ~8 min

Study assesses seizure risk from stimulating the thalamus

In animal models, even low stimulation currents can sometimes still cause electrographic seizures, researchers found.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Sept. 6, 2024 ~5 min

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