national center for biological sciences

Uncovering The History Of The Tiger Genome

Historic dips in the population from a wildly endangered past have led to a split between genetically diverse tiger subspecies and several inbred individuals.

Staying Motivated, According To Fruit Flies

Whether flying or feasting, fruit flies are a highly motivated bunch, thanks to a protein responsible for calcium spikes in brain cells.

Leopards Love Indian Tea Gardens

In north-eastern Indian tea gardens, the presence of leopards does not necessarily lead to conflicts with people.

How Smells Can Split Species

An altered sense of smell could drive the formation of new species, as seen in hawthorn flies and apple flies.

A Single Traumatic Incident Could Change The Brain’s Architecture

A single traumatic experience can cause changes to the amygdala in rats, resulting in behavior similar to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Maintaining The Delicate Balance In The Eyes

Scientists have identified the enzyme that maintains the balance between two key processes that control the size of light-sensitive membranes in the eyes.

Like Kites, Messenger Molecules Need Tails To Function

In biological cells, messenger molecules called mRNA behave similar to kites, requiring a tail for stability.

The Traffic System Within Living Cells: Chance Or Design?

Scientists' simulations have shown that the complex compartments and traffic systems within cells could arise randomly in 25 percent of cases.

Fruit Flies Ignore Their Hunger To Pupate

Researchers have found a circuit of nerve cells in fruit fly brains that push them to enter the pupal stage, despite a lack of proteins in their diet.

Even A Brief Period Of Stress Could Affect Memory: Study

Aside from memory loss, the hippocampus or 'memory center' in the brains of rats shrank after just three days of chronic stress.