An abundant phytoplankton feeds a global network of marine microbes

New findings illuminate how Prochlorococcus’ nightly “cross-feeding” plays a role in regulating the ocean’s capacity to cycle and store carbon.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Jan. 3, 2025 ~10 min

Bacteria in the human gut rarely update their CRISPR defense systems

A new study of the microbiome finds intestinal bacterial interact much less often with viruses that trigger immunity updates than bacteria in the lab.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Dec. 23, 2024 ~7 min


RNA plays a surprising role in DNA repair

Researchers have discovered a surprising role for RNA in DNA repair. The work could lead to better treatments for cancer and other diseases.

Georgia Tech • futurity
Dec. 3, 2024 ~7 min

Plants and animals with bigger genomes grow less efficiently – new research helps explain why they never died out

The size of DNA cells between the biggest and smallest genomes varies by as much as 10,000 times.

Kimberley Simpson, Research Fellow, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield • conversation
Nov. 7, 2024 ~6 min

Cancer biologists discover a new mechanism for an old drug

Study reveals the drug, 5-fluorouracil, acts differently in different types of cancer — a finding that could help researchers design better drug combinations.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Oct. 7, 2024 ~9 min

Ancient DNA helped us uncover the Iberian lynx’s potential secret weapon against extinction

Research into the vulnerable Iberian lynx reveals surprising insights into its genetic history.

José A. Godoy, Investigador Genómica de la Conservación , Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC) • conversation
Sept. 24, 2024 ~8 min

DNA reveals secrets of cave-dwelling medieval community that survived conquest and epidemics

It’s unclear why people chose to live in the caves, but DNA is shedding light on their lives.

Ricardo Rodriguez Varela, Research in Molecular Archaeology, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University, Stockholm University • conversation
Aug. 28, 2024 ~8 min

Summer holiday science: turn your home into a lab with these three easy experiments

You don’t need a fancy qualification for these experiments – just some curiosity and few household basics.

Audrey O'Grady, Associate Professor in Biology, University of Limerick • conversation
Aug. 12, 2024 ~6 min


The five scholars who won two Nobel Prizes — and what sets them apart

Winning a Nobel Prize is a rare achievement, but some researchers have been awarded more than one.

Sam McKee, Tutor and researcher in Philosophy of Science, Manchester Metropolitan University • conversation
July 9, 2024 ~7 min

Did inbreeding cause the woolly mammoth’s extinction? Our research suggests it was more sudden than that

Scientists have long wondered if the wooly mammoth went extinct due to high levels of inbreeding.

Love Dalén, Professor, Stockholm University • conversation
June 27, 2024 ~8 min

/

45