MIXED-UP MICROBES Children with autism spectrum disorders have unusual mixes of gut microbes. Altering those mixes has positive, long-lasting effects on behavior, a study finds.
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Magazine
In the July 7 SN: The impact hypothesis that won’t die, CAR-T cell therapy upgrades, bad news for Antarctica, a quoll conundrum, honeybees know zero, how volcanoes kill, Jupiter’s polar lightning and more.
Genes & Cells
Topic Image Rail
GUT FEELING Ötzi’s stomach was covered in fungi, but researchers still managed to reveal new details about the Iceman’s last meal.
M. Samadelli/Eurac Research and South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology ©
ON THE OFFENSIVE Gene-edited cancer cells (green) release a protein deadly to other tumor cells (red).
Khalid Shah lab/CSTI
Genes & Cells
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Genetics
Science TickerNorth America’s earliest dogs came from Siberia
North America’s first dogs have few descendants alive today, a study of ancient DNA suggests.News
Koala genome may contain clues for helping the species survive
The complete genetic instruction book of a koala may explain why the cuddly-looking cuties are such picky eaters, among other secrets. -
Cells
News
It may take a village (of proteins) to turn on genes
Clusters of proteins transiently work together to turn on genes, new microscopy studies of live cells suggest.News in Brief
Here’s how drinking coffee could protect your heart
Coffee’s heart-healthy effects rely on boosting cells’ energy production, a study in mice suggests. -
Development
News
This ‘junk’ gene may be important in embryo development
Mice — and maybe humans — can’t get past the two-cell stage of development without a particular type of jumping gene.News
There’s a genetic explanation for why warmer nests turn turtles female
Scientists have found a temperature-responsive gene that controls young turtles’ sex fate. -
Physiology
News in Brief
Larger spleens may help ‘sea nomads’ stay underwater longer
The Bajau people of Southeast Asia have a gene variant associated with larger spleens, boosting their oxygen while breath-hold diving, researchers say.News
Light pollution can prolong the risk of sparrows passing along West Nile virus
Nighttime lighting prolongs time that birds can pass along virus to mosquitoes that bite people. -
Immune Science
News
The next wave of bird flu could be worse than ever
Deadly bird flu can pass between ferrets through the air.News
When a fungus invades the lungs, immune cells can tell it to self-destruct
Immune system resists fungal infection by directing spores to their death. -
Microbiology
News
The right mix of gut microbes relieves autism symptoms in the long run
Replacing missing gut microbes improves autism symptoms in children even two years later.News in Brief
Bobtail squid coat their eggs in antifungal goo
Hawaiian bobtail squid keep their eggs fungus-free with the help of bacteria. -
Epigenetics
News
Genes could record forensic clues to time of death
Scientists have found predictable patterns in the way our genetic machinery winds down after death.News
Proteins that reprogram cells can turn back mice’s aging clock
Proteins that reprogram adult cells to an embryonic-like state can rejuvenate prematurely aging mice. -
Molecular Evolution
Editor's NoteJumping genes are part of all that makes us human
Ask 10 people what makes humans human and you’ll probably get 10 different answers — and then some.News
Ancient enzymes adapted to a cooler Earth to keep life’s chemical reactions going
Ancient enzymes kept their speed at lower temperatures.
