Life Science – Page 2 – Science & research news

Slower runners benefit most from high-tech shoes

March 19, 2019

Researchers re-examined treadmill studies of runners dating back decades, recalculating the effect of performance strategies to account for things like air resistance and oxygen uptake velocity; Frontiers in Physiology [...]

What can worms tell us about human aging?

February 12, 2019

A community-developed blueprint of worm metabolism holds promise for greater understanding of aging; Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences [...]

Muscle memory discovery ends ‘use it or lose it’ dogma

January 28, 2019

New research shows that extra nuclei gained during exercise persist even after a muscle shrinks from disuse, disease or aging -- and can be mobilized rapidly to facilitate bigger gains on retraining; Frontiers in Physiology [...]

Better understanding of dog body language could make interactions safer

January 9, 2019

A new study shows that both children and parents frequently misinterpret canine behavior, but a short training session can bring substantial and lasting improvements; Frontiers in Veterinary Science [...]

It’s not trails that disturb forest birds, but the people on them

January 4, 2019

Image of people walking on a forest trail. Research finds that frequently used forest trails have fewer birds - even when the trails have been used for decades - showing a negative environmental impact of trails: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Frequently used forest trails have fewer birds and not as many species - even when the trails have been used for decades: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

Marine Protected Areas overlook a large fraction of biodiversity hotspots

December 18, 2018

Image of Finland coast. New assessment finds lack of knowledge when designating MPAs lets important species and biodiversity slip through the net- and that small, targeted changes can have big effects on protected area efficiency: Frontiers in Marine Science

Lack of knowledge when designating MPAs lets ecologically important species slip through the net, but small, targeted changes can have big effects on protected area efficiency: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

10 ways your research shaped the last decade

December 17, 2018

As Frontiers celebrates its 10th anniversary, we look back at 10 ways our authors' research has contributed to, and built on, breakthroughs of the past decade. [...]

What makes a good working dog? Canine ‘aptitude test’ might offer clues

December 11, 2018

Frontiers in Veterinary Science: A new study demonstrates canine intelligence tests can be used to select top performers, which could make training of working dogs cheaper and faster.

New study demonstrates canine intelligence tests can predict top learners, making training of working dogs cheaper and faster; Frontiers in Veterinary Science [...]

Potential markers identified for early detection and prevention of liver cancer

December 5, 2018

Image of a cirrhotic liver. A shift in glucose metabolism hails progression from liver cirrhosis to liver cancer, finds a new study in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

A shift in glucose metabolism hails progression from liver cirrhosis to liver cancer: Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology [...]

Researchers discover deepest known underwater volcanic eruption

October 29, 2018

Frontiers in Earth Science: Scientists used remotely operated vehicles to explore an eruption 4,500 metres below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

Scientists used remotely operated vehicles to explore an eruption 4,500 metres below the surface of the Pacific Ocean; Frontiers in Earth Science [...]

Army scientists develop computational model to predict human behavior

October 26, 2018

Frontiers in Physics: A new study uses complex math to predict how individuals adapt to group behavior -- a tool which could provide insights into the social dynamics of terrorist organizations, or how individuals become transformed during Army Basic Training.

A new model predicts how individuals adapt to group behavior -- reducing this social influence to a single number; Frontiers in Physics. [...]

Fundamental role of Blastocystis in intestinal diseases questioned in new study

October 22, 2018

Human intestine with intestinal bacteria, 3D illustration

In a new study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, the fundamental role of Blastocystis in intestinal diseases is questioned [...]

Cancer-fighting drugs also help plants fight disease

October 17, 2018

Image of plant leaf with fungus infection: The finding that anti-cancer drugs help plants fight disease could lead to new treatments for fungal and other plant pathogens: Frontiers in Plant ScienceThe finding that anti-cancer drugs help plants fight disease could lead to new treatments for fungal and other plant pathogens: Frontiers in Plant Science

The finding could help with efforts to develop disease resistance against fungal infections and other plant pathogens: Frontiers in Plant Science [...]

Mesosaurus, the oldest-known aquatic reptile, probably spent time on land

October 8, 2018

Image of Mesosaurus: A comprehensive analysis of fossilized Mesosaurus bones reveals adult specimens have similar anatomical features to terrestrial animals: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

A comprehensive analysis fossilized mesosaurus bones suggests juveniles spent most of their time in water but adults were only semi-aquatic: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

In the battle of cats vs. rats, the rats are winning

October 1, 2018

Image of a cat and a rat. Study shows any benefit of using cats to control city rats is outweighed by the threat they pose to birds and other urban wildlife: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Any benefit of using cats to control city rats is outweighed by the threat they pose to birds and other urban wildlife: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

Algal partner responds to climate-change stresses more strongly than coral host

September 5, 2018

The surprise discovery has implications for monitoring and protecting coral reefs threatened by bleaching: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

New invention safely transports unknown, deep-dwelling fishes to the ocean’s surface

August 30, 2018

Scientific divers and biologists engineer a portable chamber to study new reef species living 60-150 m under the ocean surface: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

The freediving champions of the dolphin world

August 16, 2018

Physiological differences within the same species of dolphin explain huge variations in usual diving depths: Frontiers in Physiology [...]

Invaluable to the medical industry, the horseshoe crab is under threat

August 15, 2018

Horseshoe crab blood is invaluable for drug and safety testing, but unsustainable commercial demand threatens these 'living fossils': Frontiers in Marine Science

Horseshoe crab blood is invaluable for drug and safety testing, but this commercial demand threatens these 'living fossils': Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Footwear habits influence child and adolescent motor skill development

August 10, 2018

Frontiers in Pediatrics: Researchers show that regular physical activity without shoes may improve children's and adolescents' balancing and jumping skills

Regular physical activity without shoes may improve children's and adolescents' balancing and jumping skills: Frontiers in Pediatrics [...]

Frontiers in Microbiology — This Month’s Trending Research

August 9, 2018

Mock-up image of Frontiers in Microbiology landing page displayed on a Macbook, placed on a wooden desk, with a notebook, cup of coffee and iPhone next to it

Get the Frontiers' Editorial Office picks of top research published in Frontiers in Environmental Microbiology [...]

Frontiers in Microbiology — This Month’s Trending Research

August 9, 2018

Get the Frontiers' Editorial Office picks of top research published in Frontiers in Human Microbiology [...]

Between a soft rock and a hard place – Introducing Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Diagenesis, a new section in Frontiers in Earth Science

July 23, 2018

Specialty Chief Editor of Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Diagenesis Professor Dave Hodgson

Dave Hodgson is a hard man to pin down. On a quest to address some of the great challenges in sedimentological, stratigraphic and diagenetic research, his work takes him from the hard, red plains of the Karoo Basin, South Africa, to the desolate landscapes of the Neuquén Basin, Argentina [...]

Frontiers in Chemistry: new section on Electrochemistry open for submissions

July 9, 2018

Professor Nosang Vincent Myung is the new Specialty Chief Editor for Electrochemistry

Frontiers is pleased to announce the launch of the new Electrochemistry section in Frontiers in Chemistry. This new section will be led by Specialty Chief Editor Nosang Vincent Myung, Professor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at the University of California-Riverside in the USA. [...]

Genetic diversity helps protect against disease

July 9, 2018

Frontiers in Microbiology: Researchers observing evolutionary change in real time show that a fungal parasite can quickly adapt to a population of genetically identical cyanobacteria but not to populations with different genetic variants

The finding that a fungal parasite can quickly adapt to a population of genetically identical cyanobacteria helps explain why diversity in populations may be valuable for their preservation: Frontiers in Mirobiology [...]

Frontiers in Physics: new section on Soft Matter Physics open for submissions

July 2, 2018

Professor Jasper Van Der Gucht is the new Specialty Chief Editor for Soft Matter Physics

Specialty Chief Editor Professor Jasper Van Der Gucht hopes to address the whole range of soft matter physics with this new journal section. [...]

Effects of munitions in the seas only partially known

June 27, 2018

New review identifies significant knowledge gaps on the environmental impact of old ammunition on marine ecosystems: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

First-ever video surveys of the Great Amazonian Reef System highlight urgent need for protection

June 26, 2018

The newly discovered Amazonian Reef is much larger, deeper and more diverse than originally thought - and potentially threatened by oil exploration: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Lion conservation research can be bolstered by input from a wide-range of professionals

June 22, 2018

To tackle the sharp decline in lion numbers, conservation research should consider wild prey, livestock and the environment, not just human-lion interaction -- and go beyond the fields of biology, wildlife conservation and environmental science to include ecology, economics, sociology and the humanities: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Lion conservation research should go beyond human-lion conflict to include ecology, economics, sociology and the humanities: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

New agility tests can discriminate between football players at different performance levels

June 13, 2018

New agility tests for young football (soccer) players could more accurate than conventional measurements like sprinting and jumping ability: Frontiers in Physiology

The tests could be more accurate than conventional measurements like sprinting and jumping ability: Frontiers in Physiology [...]

‘Uniquely human’ muscles have been discovered in apes

June 11, 2018

Muscles thought unique to humans found in some ape species, questioning view that some muscles evolved to provide special adaptations for human traits: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

Impact of fishing gear entanglement deduced from whale hormone levels

June 8, 2018

Hormone analysis provides a new way to understand the effects of fishing gear entanglement on endangered whale species: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Dolphins deliberately killed for use as bait in global fisheries

June 7, 2018

New research exposes deliberate and widespread killing of marine animals, including dolphins, for use as bait in global fisheries - an issue which has received little attention so far: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Traditional knowledge sheds light on changing East Greenland climate and polar bear hunt

May 31, 2018

Frontiers in Marine Science: Traditional knowledge sheds light on climate change and polar bear ecology in East Greenland

The study is the first in nearly 20 years to document traditional knowledge on polar bear catches and ecology: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Cocoa CRISPR: Gene editing shows promise for improving the ‘chocolate tree’

May 25, 2018

Frontiers in Plant Sciences: The powerful gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 could help to breed cacao trees that exhibit desirable traits such as enhanced resistance to diseases

The powerful gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 could help breed cacao trees with desirable traits such as enhanced resistance to diseases: Frontiers in Plant Sciences [...]

Researchers use ‘environmental DNA’ to identify killer whales

May 3, 2018

Frontiers in Marine Science: Groundbreaking non-invasive technique uses DNA to detect killer whales (orcas) in the ocean

A groundbreaking new non-invasive technique may help scientists locate rare whale species in the ocean: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

Making music from animal migrations

April 23, 2018

Frontiers in Marine Science: Making music from elephant seal migrations - Carlos Duarte, Daniel Costa, Paul Riker

What does elephant seal migration sound like? A study by prominent marine researchers is the first to find out: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

High levels of hazardous chemicals found in plastics collected from Lake Geneva

April 18, 2018

The first analysis of plastic from the lake's beaches finds cadmium, mercury and lead, sometimes at levels exceeding those permitted under EU law: Frontiers in Environmental Science [...]

Dogs with noise sensitivity should be routinely assessed for pain by vets

March 29, 2018

Animal behavioral scientists report that dogs with associated musculoskeletal pain formed a greater sensitivity to noise: Frontiers In Veterinary Science [...]

Early numeracy of young kids linked to specific math activities at home

March 28, 2018

Early numeracy of young kids linked to specific mathematics activities at home

The more parents engage in math activities with their children, the higher their early numeracy performance: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

High numbers of elderly Japanese women will soon live in poverty

March 22, 2018

Behavior changes and an unfavorable pension system will disproportionately impoverish elderly Japanese women: Frontiers in Physics [...]

Moving toward a future free of drug-induced hearing loss

March 19, 2018

Research Topic compiles the latest research into hearing loss caused by drugs and solvents - how it occurs, how to treat it, and how to prevent it. [...]

A bacterium that attacks burn victims will soon be unarmed

March 13, 2018

A study from UNIGE reveals the strategies adopted by a bacterium that proliferates in the wounds of burn victims and threatens them with sepsis. It opens the way to new therapies: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology [...]

Frontiers eBooks published in February 2018

March 12, 2018

Neurodevelopment congenital heart defects

Chocolate, touch screens, consumer behavior and more - see the latest eBook collections of Research Topic articles, all free to download, share and distribute. [...]

Moths in mud can uncover prehistoric secrets

March 2, 2018

Lepidoptera scales moths prehistoric secrets

Revolutionary new technique for studying lake sediments can reveal when prehistoric insect swarms occurred: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

High levels of microplastics found in Northwest Atlantic fish

February 21, 2018

Marine science: plastic pollution mesopelagic fish

Study finds microplastics in 73 percent of mesopelagic fish caught in the Northwest Atlantic - one of the highest levels globally: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

New path into bipolar disorder comes to light

February 20, 2018

Research reveals a novel potential drug target and offers new insights into the underlying biology of bipolar disorder: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience [...]