Headlines

New genomic method to track disease outbreaks globally

Phylo-Plex, a new computational method, has been developed by Wellcome Sanger Institute scientists and their collaborators to allow cost-effective and scalable DNA sequencing of pathogens in laboratories with limited resources. Published today (July 9) in Nature Communications,

China's pollution declines came at a cost

More than 20 years ago, the Chinese government instituted the Scientific Outlook on Development (SOD) program, tying local leaders' job performance evaluations to environmental quality improvements. More than 350 river monitoring stations measured their success.

Uncovering the secrets of the basking shark's bizarre skin

New research reveals the unusual shape, size and pattern of the dermal denticles that cover basking sharks—thought to be unique to this species. Researchers propose that the shape and arrangement of the skin's scales protect the skin while also allowing for the stretchiness

Scientists finally solved a 150-year-old gallium mystery

Scientists have rewritten the story of gallium after discovering that its unusual atomic bonds re-form at high temperatures, contradicting decades of accepted theory. The finding changes how researchers explain why the metal melts so easily and behaves unlike almost any other

Trees keep absorbing carbon long after they stop growing

Oak trees keep absorbing carbon dioxide long after their annual growth has ended, revealing that photosynthesis and wood production are not as closely linked as scientists once believed. The finding could reshape forecasts of how much carbon forests will be able to store in a

Varroa risk to Tasmanian crop pollination

A study by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) has highlighted the impact Varroa mites will have on crop pollination in Tasmania if the parasitic mites become established in the state. The study was prompted by the spread of Varroa on mainland Australia, which is

How to protect your pets from New World screwworm

Since the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the first case of New World screwworm (NWS) in the United States on June 3, pet owners and shelters alike have expressed concern about what this might mean for their animals. Because the larvae of the parasitic fly infest

Scientists used AI to crack one of water's biggest mysteries

Water’s odd behavior becomes even more dramatic when it is supercooled, but scientists have struggled to compare the many different ways of describing its microscopic structure. Researchers at the University of Osaka used an AI model trained on computer simulations to evaluate

Primordial mini-moons may explain meteorite composition

A new Southwest Research Institute-led study proposes a solution to a longstanding puzzle in planetary science: What caused the concentration, assembly, and preservation of millimeter-sized, spherical mineral grains within the parent bodies of the most common meteorites? The