Gene variation makes apple trees 'weep,' improving orchards

Plant geneticists have identified a mutation in a gene that causes the "weeping" architecture—branches growing downwards—in apple trees, a finding that could improve orchard fruit production.

Speaking up for the annoying fruit fly

Fruit flies can be truly annoying when they are buzzing around your living room or landing in your wine. But we have much to thank these tiny nuisances for—they revolutionized biological and medical science.

How a fungus sidesteps a plant's defense mechanism

RIKEN scientists have discovered how a parasitic fungus renders harmless a powerful anti-fungal compound produced by some plants. As well as providing a fascinating glimpse into the ongoing arms race between plants and parasites, ...

Yeast screen uncovers genes involved in chromosomal mutation

When creating a computer program, errors in the code can introduce bugs to the software. Similarly, errors in our body's genetic code, DNA, which is stored in structures known as chromosomes, can bring about mutations in ...

You're stuck with your same old genome, but corals aren't

Some corals live to be hundreds, and even thousands, of years old. They were born with genes that were successful back in their parent's generation, so how can these old corals still be successful now? Especially in a changing ...

Assessing the risk of excess folic acid intake

It is well established that folic acid supplementation can significantly reduce the risk of birth defects, including neural tube defects like spina bifida, the most common birth defect of the central nervous system and the ...

page 2 from 31