Life Briefing: Scientists discover ancient DNA “switches” hidden in plants for 400 million years Strategic angle: Researchers uncover a vast archive of plant DNA, revealing over 2.3 million regulatory sequences. Editorial Staff Mar 14
Life Briefing: ‘Drinking from a fetid pond’: superbug-creating genes found in UK’s largest lake Strategic angle: Genes capable of creating antibiotic-resistant superbugs have been detected in Lough Neagh, which supplies drinking water for 40% of Northern Ireland. Editorial Staff Mar 14
Life Briefing: Gut bacteria that make serotonin may hold the key to IBS Strategic angle: Researchers have identified two gut bacteria that can produce serotonin, a key chemical that regulates bowel movements. Editorial Staff Mar 14
Life Briefing: Australia added to global sharks and rays database Strategic angle: A global database documenting the location of critical habitats for sharks, rays, and chimeras has recently expanded to include Australia. Editorial Staff Mar 14
Life Briefing: Scientists warn Australia’s “zombie tree” could vanish within a generation Strategic angle: A newly identified Australian tree, dubbed the “zombie” tree, is alive but unable to reproduce due to myrtle rust, threatening its survival. Editorial Staff Mar 14
Life Briefing: Why swimmers still dive in: Research shows how UK communities navigate polluted waters Strategic angle: More than 7.5 million people immerse themselves in lakes, rivers, seas and lidos every year in the UK, despite pollution risks. Editorial Staff Mar 14
Life Briefing: Microplastics may be quietly damaging your brain and fueling Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Strategic angle: New research suggests that tiny plastic particles could trigger inflammation and damage in the brain. Editorial Staff Mar 14
Life Briefing: Top brass in China reaffirm goal to be world leaders in tech, AI Strategic angle: Chinese leadership emphasizes commitment to technological and artificial intelligence supremacy. Editorial Staff Mar 14
Life Briefing: iMetalX emerges from stealth with technology to model resident space objects Strategic angle: Northern California startup iMetalX Inc. announces collaboration with Psionic for autonomous navigation technology. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: Horse IVF milestone in Florida: Frozen-thawed sperm fertilizes an egg Strategic angle: A breakthrough in equine reproductive technology offers new hope for performance horses unable to conceive naturally. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: Simple water trick cuts diesel engine pollution by over 60% Strategic angle: Scientists are exploring a surprisingly simple way to clean up diesel engines: adding tiny droplets of water to the fuel. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: In a South Carolina swamp, researchers uncover secrets of firefly synchrony Strategic angle: In the middle of the old-growth forests of Congaree National Park in South Carolina, fireflies put on an otherworldly display every May. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: Our Sun may have escaped the Milky Way’s center with thousands of twin stars Strategic angle: Scientists have uncovered evidence that our Sun may have traveled across the Milky Way as part of a massive migration of Sun-like stars billions of years ago. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: Improperly disposed wet wipes could shed microplastics in rivers Strategic angle: Wet wipes, often flushed down toilets, may contribute to microplastic pollution in waterways. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: Dragonfly mission begins rotorcraft integration, testing stage Strategic angle: Dragonfly integration and testing activities are officially underway, preparing the rotorcraft lander for launch and extreme space conditions. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: New DNA tools outperform traditional methods for detecting genetic risk in wildlife Strategic angle: Innovative genetic techniques offer better solutions for managing wildlife populations at risk of extinction. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: Volunteers Find Oddly High Solar Flare Rates Strategic angle: A new study reveals unexpected patterns in solar flare activity, highlighting the role of strong magnetic fields on the Sun's surface. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: Researchers realize room-temperature two-dimensional multiferroic metal Strategic angle: A breakthrough in multiferroic materials could lead to advancements in electronics and spintronics. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: Extra Extra! Extra Data Stream Added to the Daily Minor Planet! Strategic angle: The Daily Minor Planet citizen science project is expanding with new data from the Bok 2.3-meter telescope. Editorial Staff Mar 13
Life Briefing: From guesswork to guidance: How machine learning speeds dopant design for water-splitting photocatalysts Strategic angle: Researchers from the Institute of Science Tokyo utilize MLIP calculations to identify suitable dopants for innovative photocatalytic materials. Editorial Staff Mar 13