Breathing? Thank volcanoes, tectonics and bacteria
New study points to one cause for several mysteries linked to breathable oxygen.
Earth's breathable atmosphere is key for life, and a new study suggests...
Single-celled organism could ‘change its mind’, scientists confirm
More than 100 years ago, a zoologist by the name of Herbert Spencer Jennings described surprisingly complex and varied avoidance behaviors in a single-celled...
How some bacteria ‘eat’ electricity to survive
Ever since scientists discovered that certain microbes can get their energy from electrical charges, researchers have wondered how they do it.
Bacteria don’t have mouths,...
Deep sea vents had ideal conditions for origin of life
By creating protocells in hot, alkaline seawater, a UCL-led research team has added to evidence that the origin of life could have been in...
Hobbyist DNA services may be open to genetic hacking
With the growth of home DNA testing, online services such as GEDMatch, MyHeritage and FamilyTreeDNA have become popular places for people to upload their...
Scientists pinpoint neural activity’s role in human longevity
Neural excitation linked to shorter life, while suppression of overactivity appears to extend life span.
The brain’s neural activity — long implicated in disorders ranging...
‘Short sleep’ gene could protect memory function from sleep deprivation
In a new study, researchers found a gene that's ever been shown to prevent the memory deficits that normally accompany sleep deprivation.
This gene is...
Scientists discover molecule that could have helped cells thrive on early Earth
Compounds called cyclophospholipids would have held up against the planet’s harsh conditions, helping the first cells form and proliferate.
To truly understand how the body...
Researchers discover new antibiotic in tropical forest
In a new study, researchers have discovered an antibiotic produced by a soil bacterium from a Mexican tropical forest.
The new finding may help lead...
New graphene filter could remove bacteria from the air
Airborne bacteria may see what looks like a comfy shag carpet on which to settle.
But it's a trap.
Rice University scientists have transformed their laser-induced...