Cell Biologist

  "Coral reefs are declining globally, and their recovery often depends on broken fragments reattaching and growing but that process isn't as simple as it sounds," Dr. Lewis said. "Even after decades of coral research, we still don't fully understand how fragments attach or how to make restoration efforts more effective." The QUT team also included Professor Peter Prentis and Associate Professor Luke Nothdurft, with collaborators Dr. Crystal Cooper from University of Western Australia and Professor David Suggett from UTS. Three-step coral attachment process Using advanced microscopy, the researchers identified a three-phase sequence that coral fragments follow when attaching to the reef surface. "First, they respond to contact by tissue through an immune response and transitioning their tissues -- almost like flipping yourself inside out," Dr. Lewis said. "Next, they anchor themselves with this new soft tissue. And finally, they build a skelet...

  The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS), both under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), have jointly launched the Centre for Artificial Learning and Intelligence for Biological Research and Education (CALIBRE) in Bengaluru. The initiative marks a significant step in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with biological research to address India’s unique scientific and environmental challenges. A New Hub for AI-Biology Integration CALIBRE, established with a Rs 25 crore contribution from Vishal Gupta and Deepshikha Gupta of Reed India Consulting LLP, will serve as a national platform for advancing AI-led biological research. The centre aims to develop tools, datasets, and frameworks tailored to India’s biodiversity, healthcare, and agricultural sectors, making AI more relevant to local contexts. Collaborative Effort Between NCBS and ICTS Based at NCBS, CALIBRE will work closely with ICTS to ...

  The Government of India has announced the complete list of winners of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025, honouring exceptional achievements by Indian scientists , technologists, and innovators across multiple fields. The awards highlight India’s growing scientific strength and recognise contributions that have advanced knowledge, innovation, and national development. About the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Instituted to celebrate pathbreaking contributions in science and technology, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is conferred in four categories: Vigyan Ratna (VR) – for lifetime achievements in science and technology. Vigyan Shri (VS) – for distinguished contributions in any scientific field. Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) – for scientists under 45 years of age. Vigyan Team (VT) – for teams of three or more who have achieved outstanding results through collaborative work. Awards are presented across 13 domains, including Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Environmental Scien...

  Every living creature needs to get rid of waste, and reptiles are no exception. In humans, the body eliminates excess nitrogen by flushing it out through urine as urea, uric acid, and ammonia. Reptiles and birds, however, take a different approach. They transform some of those same nitrogen-based compounds into solids known as "urates," which are expelled through a shared opening called the cloaca. Scientists think this solid form of waste evolved as an adaptation to conserve water, a valuable trait for animals that often live in dry environments. What's Dangerous for Humans Is Normal for Snakes Although forming crystals in urine helps reptiles survive, the same process can cause serious health problems in people. When uric acid levels become too high in humans, the crystals can collect in the joints, leading to gout, or form in the urinary tract as kidney stones . To understand how reptiles manage to excrete these crystals safely, Jennifer Swift and her research team a...

  A team of EMBL researchers and collaborators has now created a tool that takes single-cell analysis to a new level. It can capture both genomic variations and RNA within the same cell, offering greater accuracy and scalability than earlier technologies. This approach allows scientists to identify variations in non-coding regions of DNA , the areas most often linked to disease, giving them a new way to explore how genetic differences contribute to human health. With its precision and ability to process large numbers of cells, the tool marks a major step toward linking specific genetic variants with disease outcomes. "This has been a long-standing problem, as current single-cell methods to study DNA and RNA in the same cell have had limited throughput, lacked sensitivity, and are complicated," said Dominik Lindenhofer, the lead author on a new paper about SDR-Seq published in Nature Methods and a postdoctoral fellow in EMBL's Steinmetz Group. "On a single-cell level,...

  The New York State Department of Health recently confirmed the first locally acquired case of chikungunya virus in the US since 2019. This case appeared in Nassau County on Long Island. It marks the first local transmission in New York. The infected individual likely contracted the virus through a mosquito bite. The source of the virus remains unclear. This event has raised awareness about mosquito-borne diseases in temperate regions. Overview of Chikungunya Virus Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by Aedes mosquitoes. It is common in tropical and subtropical zones. Symptoms include sudden fever, joint pain, muscle ache, headache, rash, and swelling. Most patients recover within a week. Some suffer long-term joint pain lasting months. Severe cases are rare but can affect newborns, elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. Transmission and Local Spread The virus spreads when a mosquito bites an infected person and then bites another. Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, found in parts...

  Greenhouse gas levels reached unprecedented highs in 2024, according to the United Nations . Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide all set new records. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported the largest annual rise in CO2 since measurements began in 1957. This sharp increase challenges global efforts to limit warming under the Paris Agreement. The 2024 year was also the warmest on record, intensifying concerns about climate feedback loops and the planet’s ability to absorb emissions. Unprecedented Rise in Greenhouse Gases In 2024, CO2 concentration soared to 424 parts per million (ppm). This is a 3.5 ppm jump from 2023, the biggest single-year increase ever recorded. Methane levels reached 1,942 parts per billion, while nitrous oxide hit 338 parts per billion. Since pre-industrial times, these gases have increased by 152%, 266%, and 125% respectively. CO2 remains the dominant greenhouse gas, responsible for about two-thirds of the current warming effect....