Invasive brown widow spiders across three continents were highly infected with a single strain of Rhabdochlamydia, a bacterium that is related to major pathogens of humans and animals, including chlamydia. A bite from these spiders, however, will not infe

Researchers at Arizona State University have made a significant advance in understanding how genes are controlled in living organisms. The new study, published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research, focuses on critical snippets of RNA in the tiny, transpa

A common infection-causing bacteria was much less likely to evolve antibiotic resistance when treated with a mixture of antimicrobial peptides rather than a single peptide, making these mixtures a viable strategy for developing new antibiotic treatments.

Who's stronger? A solitary leopard or cackle of hyenas? And which is best at getting along with humans?

In a recent study, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine suggest that the cell's messenger RNA (mRNA)—the major translator and regulator of genetic material—along with a critical protein called ZAK—spurs the cell's initial response to UV radiation damag

Two new species of psychoactive mushrooms in the genus Psilocybe have been described from southern Africa, bringing the list to six known species indigenous to Africa. Psilocybe species are among the most well-known and well-studied species of psychoactiv

A new study challenges the common theory that the devastating potato blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans originated in Mexico. Researchers meticulously reconstructed its global migration history and found it likely originated in the South American Ande

Scientists and kiaʻi loko (fishpond practitioners) have a new tool to aid their efforts to restore and ensure the resilience of Native Hawaiian fishponds. Researchers from the University of Hawai'i (UH) and fishpond stewards in Hilo, Hawai'i published a

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are experts in evolving new strategies to avoid being killed by antibiotics. One such bacterium is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is naturally found in soil and water, but also hospitals, nursing homes and similar institutions

The sea worm Platynereis dumerilii is only a few centimeters long, but has a remarkable ability: In just a few days, it can regenerate entire parts of its body after an injury or amputation. By focusing more specifically on the mechanisms at play in the r

Fruit ripening involves complex metabolic changes that affect sensory traits like color, flavor, and texture, making fruits more appealing for consumption. These changes are particularly pronounced in climacteric fruits, which experience a surge in ethyle

Terpenoids, such as α-farnesene, are natural compounds widely used in flavoring agents, fragrances, and even in biofuels. Traditionally, α-farnesene is extracted from plants, and hence their production may suffer from low yields and poor purity, unable to