https://phys.org/biology-news/ en-us Read the latest science news from Phys.org on biology, evolution, microbiology, biotechnology Researchers have found that a group of chemicals known as PFAS can be transferred from mother dolphins to their nursing calves, adding to the evidence that these persistent contaminants can be transferred from mothers to offspring during early development. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-pfas-dolphin-mothers-calves.html Ecology Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:04:50 EDT news695714541 Rising stream temperatures may be weakening the foundation of river food webs by altering how carbon moves through these watery ecosystems. In a new study published in the journal Ecosphere, researchers from Northern Arizona University found that when water temperatures increase, microbes and aquatic insects process fallen leaves, twigs, and bark more rapidly, but a smaller fraction of that leaf litter supports their growth and a bigger fraction is released into the water and air as carbon dioxide. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-warmer-streams-river-food-webs.html Ecology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:00:01 EDT news695651920 In the past several years, Rockefeller University's Kivanç Birsoy and his team in the Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Genetics have revealed remarkable details about the antioxidant glutathione, which plays many essential roles in the body, from clearing free radicals to repairing cellular damage. Among other things, they've discovered the transporter that shuttles glutathione to where it's needed, how glutathione keeps iron levels in check, and the metabolite's complicated relationship with mitochondria, the energy center of the cell, where it both keeps the lights on yet can drive the metastasis of breast cancer. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-antioxidant-glutathione-play-key-role.html Cell & Microbiology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:00:01 EDT news695651461 Bacterial sensors usually rely on emitting light to transfer information about what they're sensing, but that method isn't practical in many settings. That's why most information transmission is done via electricity. And while electricity-emitting bacteria exist, manipulating them into useful sensors has been quite challenging. Rice University professor Caroline Ajo-Franklin's group, working in collaboration with researchers from Tufts University and Baylor College of Medicine, recently developed a flexible bioelectrical sensor system called electroactive co-culture sensing system (e-COSENS). The study is published in Nature Biotechnology. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-bacteria-chemical-electricity-options.html Biotechnology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:40:01 EDT news695650681 Restoring once abundant oyster reefs in temperate marginal seas such as the North Sea is a challenging task. New research by NIOZ marine ecologist Zhiyuan Zhao and colleagues shows that it is necessary to consider the short-term risk that introduced oysters will become buried by shifting sediment or will be dislodged by strong near-bed currents. For restoration success, these short-term physical disturbances can be more decisive than longer-term water-quality conditions. The results of pioneering experiments at 32 m depth, were published today in One Earth. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-oyster-reefs-site-dont-sand.html Plants & Animals Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:20:01 EDT news695647106 For the first time, a research team at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) has succeeded in reducing the size of, or even completely removing, chromosomes in plants with large genomes, such as wheat. They achieved this by using the CRISPR/Cas gene-editing tool to target highly repetitive sections of DNA. The results of the study, published today in the journal Plant Communications, could significantly accelerate breeding processes. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-team-successfully-trims-wheat-chromosomes.html Biotechnology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:00:01 EDT news695649961 Like many animals, parrots make sounds that suggest they are talking with each other, maybe even calling out to a specific parrot. But do they truly have names in the same way people do? To find out, Lauryn Benedict, a biology professor at the University of Northern Colorado, didn't set up shop in the tropics to record parrot chatter, as they've done in the past. She instead found birds who spoke her language—birds that live with humans and mimic what they hear, including people's names. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-parrots-mimicking-words-proper-humans.html Plants & Animals Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:00:04 EDT news695636041 A new study on climate adaptation in the Pacific pocket mouse—North America's most endangered mouse has been published in Science Advances. The research highlights a major challenge for endangered species, as many lack the genetic diversity needed to survive changing climates. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-world-rarest-mouses-climate.html Plants & Animals Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:00:03 EDT news695636102 As water supplies shrink and food demand grows, new interdisciplinary research from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers a practical way for farmers to manage irrigation more efficiently while protecting their bottom line. Their paper, "Dynamic Irrigation Management Under Weather Uncertainty and Soil Heterogeneity" is published in the journal Manufacturing and Service Operations Management. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-smart-irrigation-farm-profits.html Other Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:40:05 EDT news695647801 A newly designed AI-powered tool is effective in developing treatments to attack antibiotic-resistant bacteria by breaking down their outer defenses, according to new research from Houston Methodist. The study, published in Nature Communications and led by Eleftherios Mylonakis, M.D., Ph.D., chair, Houston Methodist Charles W. Duncan Jr. Department of Medicine, details how researchers used the tool to identify antimicrobial peptides—small proteins that are part of the body's natural immune system—that effectively targeted bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in lab tests. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-ai-powered-tool-treatments-antibiotic.html Cell & Microbiology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:40:01 EDT news695645102 An emerging type of artificial intelligence, known as "agentic" AI, seems to do everything that biomedical scientists do—and often, does it faster. This next-generation technology can interpret experimental data, report the results and make decisions on its own. But is agentic AI smart enough to replace actual scientists? https://phys.org/news/2026-04-qa-agentic-ai-human-scientists.html Biotechnology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:00:04 EDT news695644443 Researchers at University of Tsukuba have demonstrated that tomato mutants lacking the SlIAA9 gene, an auxin signaling repressor involved in the regulation of seed germination, not only retain high germination capacity under high-temperature conditions but also exhibit vigorous post-germination growth. Furthermore, the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying this enhanced heat resilience are elucidated. These findings offer new insights into the genetic improvement of heat-tolerant tomato varieties. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-key-gene-enables-tomato-seed.html Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:00:05 EDT news695640541 Assisted evolution could help corals survive future heat waves, but careful trait choice and strong repeated selection will be needed for it to be effective. As global temperatures rise, marine heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe, driving coral bleaching and mortality. While some coral populations are already showing signs of natural adaptation, researchers warn that these changes are unlikely to keep pace with future warming. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-coral-reefs-require-ruthless-generations.html Evolution Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:00:01 EDT news695635441 A greater focus on roots during plant breeding could ensure staple grain crops continue to feed the world as recycled nutrients substitute conventional fertilizers in the future, a University of Queensland study published in npj Sustainable Agriculture has found. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-modern-crops-lazy-underground-sorghum.html Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:40:01 EDT news695638205 A sprinkle of nutmeg powder on baked goodies or mashed potatoes can immediately lift the flavor with its warm and sweet aroma. Even though it is used globally, not much is known about the true origins of the nutmeg spice tree, Myristica fragrans. In an attempt to retrace evolutionary history, researchers traveled to five different islands in the Moluccas archipelago, Indonesia, traditionally known as the Spice Islands and collected leaves from 393 nutmeg trees to analyze their DNA. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-dna-nutmeg-hidden-revealing-south.html Plants & Animals Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:40:03 EDT news695636402 Does a male bird with a long and complex courtship dance have superior cognitive abilities? Simply put, is a talented dancer a smarter bird? To answer the question, researchers at Université de Montréal studied the zebra finch, a small bird known for the dramatic differences between the male and female of the species. The scientists wanted to determine whether females choose males who perform elaborate dances because those displays reflect above-average intelligence. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-birds-dancers-smarter.html Plants & Animals Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:20:02 EDT news695635683 The earliest documentary evidence of organized whaling dates back to the 11th century in the Basque Country. From there, the activity spread rapidly across the ports of the Bay of Biscay, from Galicia to Labourd in France, and then across the Atlantic to countries such as Brazil and Iceland. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-whaling-evolved-basque-vast-global.html Ecology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:20:01 EDT news695630701 Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have revealed the detailed workings of a cell membrane protein that has essential roles in all animals. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies for blood coagulation disorders, cancers and other conditions in which the protein, called a TMEM16 scramblase, works abnormally. Scramblases operate within cell membranes, where they alter or "scramble" the normal layered arrangement of lipid molecules—an essential step in many biological processes. The scramblase TMEM16F also works as an ion channel, allowing small, charged molecules such as potassium or chloride ions through the membrane. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-scramblase-pave-blood-disorder-cancer.html Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:00:01 EDT news695572430 It did not take long after the discovery of X-rays in the 1890s for scientists to begin exploring the harmful effects of radiation on living organisms. Yet even after more than a century of research, new insights continue to emerge about how radiation affects the body. In a recent study, researchers at Hokkaido University uncovered a previously unrecognized effect of radiation that leads to changes in the mitochondria of the offspring. The study was published in March 2026 in the journal Redox Biology. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-preconception-exposure-offspring-mitochondrial-dna.html Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:40:01 EDT news695564606 Researchers from the University of Seville (US) and the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) have demonstrated that it is possible to grow tomatoes and generate solar energy simultaneously, a key strategy for tackling global water scarcity. The study, carried out in Madrid and Seville during the spring of 2024, evaluated the use of agrovoltaic systems and regulated deficit irrigation to optimize water resources in tomato cultivation. The results show that, although using less water reduces the volume of the harvest, the overall outcome is a more efficient and sustainable process. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-agrovoltaic-generating-energy-tomato-cultivation.html Biotechnology Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:20:02 EDT news695577422 While the Netherlands was in lockdown because of the coronavirus, Ph.D. candidate Koen Rijpkema began his research into the same virus. In the lab, he developed molecules that can inhibit an important viral enzyme. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-lockdown-lab-decoy-molecule-coronavirus.html Biotechnology Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:20:02 EDT news695575561 Bacterial blight (BB) is a serious plant disease that mainly affects rice plants, especially in warm, humid regions. Due to the severity of BB, discovering and applying BB-resistance genes is strategically important for ensuring stable rice production in Asia. However, genetic strategies to improve disease resistance face a trade-off between crop yield and immunity to disease—since better immunity may be associated with lower yield. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-gene-discovery-path-disease-resistant.html Biotechnology Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:10:01 EDT news695575081 A study conducted at the Institute of Science and Technology of São Paulo State University (ICT-UNESP) in São José dos Campos, Brazil, shows that Moringa oleifera, also known as moringa or white acacia, has the potential to remove microplastics from water. The study, titled "Removal of Microplastics from Drinking Water by Moringa oleifera Seed: Comparative Performance with Alum in Direct and in-Line Filtration Systems," is published in the journal ACS Omega. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-common-asian-brazil-potential-microplastics.html Plants & Animals Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:40:01 EDT news695569201 Humans adjust to changes in temperature by putting on a sweater or taking off layers. Plants adjust to temperature changes, in part, by switching the way they express the protein that performs the critical first step of photosynthesis, according to new research from Cornell, Texas A&M and Stockholm University. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-temperature-shifts-proteins-power-photosynthesis.html Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:30:02 EDT news695574601 Cells are enveloped by a lipid membrane that gives them structure and provides a barrier between the cell and its environment. However, evidence has recently emerged suggesting that these membranes do more than simply provide protection—they also influence the behavior of the protein receptors embedded in them. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-cancer-hidden-cell-membrane-growth.html Cell & Microbiology Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:10:01 EDT news695574421 Fish living downstream of wastewater treatment plants are accumulating antidepressants, opioids and other drugs of abuse in their bodies, according to a new study. Using a new analytical method they developed, a team of researchers from the University of Waterloo discovered that several substances that affect the central nervous system, including fentanyl, methadone and venlafaxine, were detected in small fish living in rivers that receive urban wastewater. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-wild-canadian-freshwater-fish-reveal.html Plants & Animals Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:40:07 EDT news695560982 Parasitic wasps of the genus Trichogramma are among the smallest insects in the world—yet they play an important role in natural ecosystems and agricultural landscapes as natural antagonists of pest species. Research teams from the Universities of Regensburg, Wageningen and Groningen have now identified for the first time the sex pheromone of a Trichogramma wasp. The study shows that unimaginably small amounts of the female pheromone are sufficient to attract males and trigger their courtship behavior. The findings are published in the journal Scientific Reports. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-sex-pheromone-sandgrain-sized-insect.html Plants & Animals Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:40:04 EDT news695568181 The south coast of South Africa's Western Cape province is a rich source of fossil tracks and traces—clues suggesting what this environment may have been like many thousands of years ago. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-bird-tortoise-fossil-tracks-south.html Paleontology & Fossils Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:00:09 EDT news695567462 Fish living downstream of wastewater treatment plants are accumulating antidepressants, opioids and other drugs of abuse in their bodies, according to a new study. Using a new analytical method they developed, a team of researchers from the University of Waterloo discovered that several substances that affect the central nervous system, including fentanyl, methadone and venlafaxine, were detected in small fish living in rivers that receive urban wastewater. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-opioids-drugs-accumulating-freshwater-fish.html Ecology Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:00:07 EDT news695560501 Baby Neanderthals may have been much larger and grown much more quickly than their modern Homo sapiens counterparts, according to a new study of the most intact Neanderthal infant skeleton. Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) are our closest extinct relatives, an ancient group of humans that lived in Eurasia from several hundred thousand years ago until they disappeared around 40,000 years ago. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-baby-neanderthals-rapid-growth-spurt.html Evolution Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:40:03 EDT news695563623