IN THE LAB
The Pause Button Inside The Brain
Using optogenetics, researchers in Japan have demonstrated how the activity of specific neurons in the brain allow mice to prioritize their responses to the environment.
Rare Element Makes A Good Atomic Clock
A neglected element called lutetium is ideal for making accurate atomic clocks due to its low sensitivity to changes in temperature, scientists say.
Shedding Light On Bubbly Graphene
Scientists at the Institute of Basic Science in South Korea have used a single laser beam to probe the behavior of graphene bubbles.
Taurine Required To Keep Sperm In Tip-Top Shape
A lack of taurine changes the shape of sperm, impairing their motility and resulting in infertility.
Preserving The Genetic Diversity Of Sumatran Rhinos
Genetic studies suggest that breeding centers and a cell bank are necessary to preserve the genetic diversity of critically endangered Sumatran rhinos.
Beefing Up IVF Success
Scientists in Japan have used live-cell imaging to identify bovine IVF embryos without chromosomal abnormalities and increase the success of cow pregnancies.
Cracking The Mystery Of Fossil-Preserving Rocks
Rather than forming over millions of years, spherical rock formations known as concretions can form in just a matter of months, researchers say.
How Plants Brace Themselves Against Infection
Scientists have discovered that plants create a special brace to ensure accurate detachment of flowers and leaves, covering the ‘wound’ left behind with cutin.
Neutralizing Antibody Shields Mice From Zika Virus
A single injection of a human neutralizing antibody is enough to protect developing mouse embryos against Zika virus infection and microcephaly, researchers say.
