Pharmacists are often seen as the go-to people for quick medical advice. But here is a twist. They might be influencing how often antibiotics are prescribed. This is not because they prescribe antibiotics themselves. Instead, it is because they refer patients to doctors. These referrals can sha
Brown trout are a fascinating example of how animals change their habits as they grow. This process, called ontogenetic niche shifts, greatly influences how many fish there are and how big they get. But here is the kicker: the environment where they live can limit these changes. To dive into this, a
Brain injuries from explosions are a big deal. They have become more common in both soldiers and civilians. The long-term effects can be serious, including problems with thinking and memory. But not everyone is affected the same way. Genes and gender play a big role in how well someone bounces back
Parkinson's disease is a tricky condition. It is influenced by a mix of genes, environment, and lifestyle. Roughly 30% of the risk comes from genes. However, a lot of the genetic puzzle is still missing. This is partly because most studies focus on European ancestry. Latin America offers a chan
The National Institute on Aging is on a mission to find ways to help people live longer and healthier lives. In 2013, they kicked off a special project called the Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program. This program uses a tiny worm, the C. elegans, to test different drugs. These worms live for
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a leading cause of inherited blindness globally. It causes a slow but steady loss of both rod and cone photoreceptor cells. These cells are crucial for seeing in the dark and during the day, respectively. Most RP-causing genes only affect rods, but cones also die off lat
Octolasion tyrtaeum is a worm that has caused quite the stir in the scientific community. It all began with a description by Savigny back in 1826. He named it Enterion tyrtaeum. However, the type specimen, which is the original example of the species, went missing. This loss led to a lot of confusio
People often wonder if their daily habits truly impact their health. One big question is how physical activity and sitting around affect the chances of having a stroke. A recent study dug into this using a method called Mendelian randomization. This approach helps figure out if there is a direct cau
The world of biology is full of surprises. Researchers have uncovered an unexpected link between two proteins, CDK8 and CDK19, and male fertility in mice. These proteins are part of a larger group that helps control how genes are turned on and off. To understand their role, scientists created mic
In the last 500 years, house mice have made themselves at home across the Americas. During this time, they have shown remarkable adaptability. One of the most noticeable changes is in their body size. This shift is not just about genetics. The environment, especially what they eat, plays a big role.
