Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a serious issue that impacts over 200 health conditions. It is responsible for around 3 million deaths each year globally. This makes it a significant public health concern. It is estimated that about half of the risk for developing AUD is inherited. This means that genes play a big role in who might struggle with alcohol. So, what exac...
In 2024, a significant effort took place to better understand how avian coronavirus, or bird flu, spreads among poultry in China. This involved collecting samples from various locations across the country. Over 7, 600 samples were gathered from 153 different sites spread across 13 provinces. The results showed that about 20. 60 percent of these samples tested positiv...
Mites are tiny creatures that play a big role in breaking down organic matter in soil. This helps in the carbon cycle, which is vital for life on Earth. But when did these mites first appear and start their work? This is a tricky question. Some think they showed up way back in the Precambrian era, when there were no plants on land. Others believe they came much later...
Horses around the world can be infected by many types of parasites. One of these parasites is a type of worm called a strongyle. There are 64 different types of these worms that can infect horses. These worms live in the horse's gut and can cause problems. Some of these worms are very common, but others are rare and not well understood. One of these rare wor...
The world of viruses is a fascinating place, especially when it comes to how they maintain their genetic information. Unlike DNA viruses, RNA viruses like coronaviruses have a unique way of keeping their genetic material intact. They use a special tool called an exonuclease domain, which helps them proofread their genetic code during replication. This domain is part ...
Ever wondered what makes cashmere so soft? Meet the Liaoning cashmere goat (LCG), known for its luxurious, long fibers. While LCG cashmere is already quite soft at an average of 16 microns, scientists are on a mission to make it even softer. They're diving into the world of DNA, trying to pinpoint which genes are in charge of cashmere fineness. Imagine this: they've...
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute have made an exciting discovery. They found that some of the earliest modern humans in Europe had a surprising connection to Neanderthals. These humans, from sites in the Czech Republic and Germany, were part of a small group that moved across Europe around 45, 000 years ago. They were related to each other, but not to the Nea...
Scientists recently found a fascinating bacterial strain, REN37 T , hidden away in fermented grains used to make Baijiu, a popular Chinese liquor. This tiny critter, known for its ability to thrive in temperatures between 32-37°C and a slightly salty environment, was identified as a new member of the Isoalcanivorax family. Its closest relative? Another bacterium ca...
With the legalization of hemp in the US, scientists are racing to find the best way to tell it apart from marijuana. Traditional methods, like chemical testing, have their limits. For instance, they struggle with tiny samples or old plants. Genetic analysis, however, can tackle these challenges. It's like a detective, looking for clues in the plant's DNA. scientist...
Have you ever wondered how tiny fruit flies manage to find their way around? It turns out that their ability to sniff out their surroundings has a lot to do with special cells in their antennae called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). These cells help flies detect smells and guide them through their environment. Scientists have been studying how these ORNs work, esp...