All Ecology & Evolution articles – Page 3
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NewsFloat like a jellyfish: New coral mobility mechanisms uncovered
A new study has investigated how the free-living mushroom coral Cycloseris cyclolites moves, navigates and responds to light in its natural environments.
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NewsAncient viral DNA shapes early embryo development
Over half of our genomes consists of remnants of ancient viral DNA which are widespread across the tree of life. Once dismissed as the ’dark side’ of the genome, researchers have now revealed the role of transposable elements in early embryo development.
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NewsReading the genome and understanding evolution: Symbioses and gene transfer in leaf beetles
A new study shows how repeated horizontal gene transfer and the establishment of symbioses with bacteria enabled leaf beetles to rapidly adapt to a plant-based diet, contributing to their remarkable evolutionary success.
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NewsResearchers uncover control mechanisms of polysaccharide utilization in gut bacterium
Polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) complexes enable bacteria to bind, break down, and import specific polysaccharides, contributing to successful gut colonization. A new study explores how PULs are regulated post-transcriptionally to adapt to environmental changes.
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NewsChimpanzees are genetically adapted to local habitats and infections such as malaria
Chimpanzees bear genetic adaptations that help them thrive in their different forest and savannah habitats, some of which may protect against malaria, according to a study by an international team.
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NewsTiny microbe colonies communicate to coordinate their behavior
A new study reveals evidence of electrical signaling and coordinated behavior in choanoflagellates, the closest living relatives of animals. This cell communication offers insights into the early evolution of animal multicellularity and nervous systems.
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NewsSome bacteria evolve like clockwork with the seasons
The longest natural metagenome time series ever collected, with microbes, reveals a startling evolutionary pattern on repeat.
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NewsStudy reveals the hidden genomic evolution of brown algae - and how bacteria and viruses helped
A groundbreaking study has unveiled the evolutionary journey of brown algae through a comprehensive genomic analysis of 44 species, including key evolutionary milestones, such as the transition from unicellular to multicellular forms.
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NewsFlagella-free survival: How bacteria evolve by shedding their ‘wheels’
New research reveals that bacteria can evolve by losing their flagella, the structures responsible for movement.
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NewsSyphilis had its roots in the Americas, archaeological bone reveals
New research supports a root in the Americas for syphilis and its known relatives, and their introduction to Europe starting in the late 15th century is most consistent with the data, scientists say.
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NewsCheese starter cultures yield insights into history of domestication of bacteria
A new study shows that the bacteria used to produce Gruyère, Emmental and Sbrinz cheese show signs of ancient domestication.
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NewsGiant virus encodes key piece of protein-making machinery of cellular life
Researchers recently discovered that a virus, FloV-SA2, encodes one of the proteins needed to make ribosomes, the central engines in all cells that translate genetic information into proteins. This is the first eukaryotic virus found to encode such a protein.
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NewsWhat a century-old grapevine reveals about a disease that plagues wine country
Researchers used bacterial DNA from a 120-year-old herbarium specimen to reconstruct the history of Pierce’s disease in California.
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NewsWild bird's gut microbiome linked with its sexual ornamentation and body condition
A new study provides the first description of how a wild bird’s microbiome relates to its ornamentation and body condition. A Northern cardinal’s gut microbiome diversity can be predicted by its body condition, and the quality of its ornamentation – red plumage and beak.
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NewsUnusual endosymbionts crop up all over the world
Scientists have discovered peculiar mitochondria-like symbionts all over the world, and unveiled their surprising metabolic capacities in a new study.
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NewsStudy offers insight into chloroplast evolution
Researchers have found evidence suggesting that the primary role of primitive chloroplasts may have been to produce chemical energy for the cell and only later shifted so that most or all of the energy they generated was used for carbon assimilation.
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NewsTiny dancers: Scientists synchronise bacterial motion
Researchers have discovered that E. coli bacteria can synchronise their movements, creating order in seemingly random biological systems.
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NewsHow did human brains get so big? The answer could be in our gut
Microbes supporting the production of more metabolic energy could be key to the evolution of large brains, according to a study that shows gut microbes from different animal species shape variations in their biology.
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NewsSeemingly ‘broken’ genes in coronaviruses may be essential for viral survival
Some coronaviruses, including Covid-19 have extra ‘accessory’ genes in addition to the usual minimal viral set and researchers have found that some of these viral genes have stuck around even though they don’t produce a working protein.
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NewsOne new genus and 11 new species of fungi proposed
Scientists have proposed new taxa, combinations, and reports under the Didymiaceae and Physaraceae in China, mainly including 1 new genus and 11 new species.