Lychee genome reveals its double domestication

A look into the lychee genome reveals the fruit's origin and domestication history in ancient China.

Charlotte Hsu-Buffalo • futurity
Jan. 4, 2022 • ~8 min

Sour things reveal commonality between us and flies

A taste receptor sensitive to acidity in fruit flies is in the same group as human sour receptors, research finds.

Harrison Tasoff-UC Santa Barbara • futurity
Dec. 14, 2021 • ~8 min

Genetic GPS system of animal development explains why limbs grow from torsos and not heads

Hox genes make sure all your body parts grow in the right place. Understanding how they work can reveal the process of evolution and lead to potential treatments for congenital birth defects.

Ethan Bier, Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego • conversation
Nov. 10, 2021 • ~10 min

Fruit fly discovery could lead to new ways to treat diabetes

A hormone in fruit flies could clarify how human metabolism is regulated and could pave the way for new ways to treat obesity and diabetes.

Michael Skov Jensen-Copenhagen • futurity
Sept. 13, 2021 • ~6 min

The biological switch that could turn neuroplasticity on and off in the brain – podcast

From the archive: new research helps unpick clues about the brain’s ability to change its structure. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.

Daniel Merino, Assistant Science Editor & Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast • conversation
Aug. 19, 2021 • ~3 min

We throw away a third of the food we grow – here’s what to do about waste

Food waste is responsible for 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Sankar Sivarajah, Professor of Technology Management and Circular Economy, University of Bradford • conversation
Aug. 19, 2021 • ~7 min

Male fruit flies need to be aroused to ‘see’ females

A male fruit fly will chase a female for more than 26 yards—that's 9 miles—vibrating its wings in a fruit fly love song. But first he needs to be aroused.

Katherine Fenz-Rockefeller • futurity
July 21, 2021 • ~6 min

Fruit flies and mosquitoes are a lot brainier than people think

Fruit flies and mosquitoes have about 200,000 brain cells That's enough to do a lot of processing, even more than a supercomputer.

Vanessa Wasta-Johns Hopkins • futurity
May 17, 2021 • ~6 min

Lemurs that aren’t picky eaters may survive forest loss

Flexible diets may save some lemurs from the worst of deforestation, say researchers. Their ability to eat different stuff is in their genes.

Duke University • futurity
April 26, 2021 • ~7 min

More fruits and veggies improves sleep for young adults

Eating more fruits and vegetables can help young adults, especially women, sleep better, a new study shows.

Nardy Baeza Bickel-Michigan • futurity
April 14, 2021 • ~6 min

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