[Metabolism] Small RNA regulates glucose homeostasis
Noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs, regulate gene expression through RNA silencing and posttranscriptional gene regulation. Lin et al. show that miR-155 is important for glucose – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 17, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Beverly A. Purnell Tags: Metabolism Source Type: research
[Urban Ecology] C4 plants in the heat of the city
Cities tend to have a warmer microclimate than their surroundings—the so-called “urban heat island” effect. The elevated temperature, along with other aspects of the urban environment, can h – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 17, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Andrew M. Sugden Tags: Urban Ecology Source Type: research
[Galaxies] How many galaxies are in the universe?
Counting the number of galaxies is a complicated problem because astronomical surveys are biased and incomplete: It is easier to detect a bright nearby galaxy than a faint distant one. – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 16, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Keith T. Smith Tags: Galaxies Source Type: research
[Geophysics] Metallic melt for the mantle
Ultralow velocity zones (ULVZs) are distinct and dense patches at the very base of Earth's rocky mantle. Liu et al. suggest that iron carbide may be a vital component of ULVZs – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 10, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Brent Grocholski Tags: Geophysics Source Type: research
[Adaptive Optics] Becoming clearer step by step
When a camera or sensor is in an environment of strong illumination or high background noise, scattering from the object, or glare, can be so high that the object can be obscured. Daniel – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 10, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Ian S. Osborne Tags: Adaptive Optics Source Type: research
[Aquatic Microbiology] Lake bacteria make methane from P
Freshwater lakes are a major contributor of methane to the atmosphere—more so than the world's oceans combined. Some anaerobic microorganisms produce methane in sediments or deep a – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 10, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Nicholas S. Wigginton Tags: Aquatic Microbiology Source Type: research
[Nanomaterials] A nano dagger to the heart
Nanomaterials consist of nanometer-scale molecules or particles, which can have unusual mechanical, electrical, or optical properties. Industrial-scale fabrication of such material – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 10, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Guy Riddihough Tags: Nanomaterials Source Type: research
[Conservation Genomics] Essential immigrants
As more and more species near extinction, conservation efforts will need to understand the genetic structure and consequences of declining population size. Chen et al. document – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 10, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Laura M. Zahn Tags: Conservation Genomics Source Type: research
[Host Defense] How macrophages build a wall
Granulomas are a defining feature of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. Macrophages are the primary component of these cell structures, – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 10, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Kristen L. Mueller Tags: Host Defense Source Type: research
[Circadian Rhythms] Airplane air
Can flying help alleviate jet lag? Studies of the biochemical mechanisms that synchronize biological clocks throughout the body show that the low-oxygen environment of airplanes may – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 9, 2016 Category: Science Authors: L. Bryan Ray Tags: Circadian Rhythms Source Type: research
[Neurodevelopment] Layered haircut underlies hearing
Hair cells deep within the ear transduce sound into hearing. On any single hair cell, a pack of stereocilia is neatly arranged from tallest to shortest. When the stereocilia do not – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 3, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Pamela J. Hines Tags: Neurodevelopment Source Type: research
[Education] What a (scientific) argument is not
Engaging in arguments based on evidence is a practice found in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education frameworks. Are students being taught to argue evidence – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 3, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Melissa McCartney Tags: Education Source Type: research
[Chemistry] Sourcing hydrogen directly from wax
Hydrogen is an appealing fuel because of the energy released in its reaction with oxygen and the nearly ideal safety profile of the sole product, water. The challenge lies in transporting – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 3, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Jake Yeston Tags: Chemistry Source Type: research
[Cell Biology] Microtubule repair and rescue
The microtubule network that forms the cytoskeleton is essential for cell polarization and migration. Microtubules tend to grow slowly, and they can shrink rapidly in a process known – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 3, 2016 Category: Science Authors: SH Tags: Cell Biology Source Type: research
[Neuroscience] Cognition, behavior, and the globus pallidus
Deep inside the brain, the external segment of the globus pallidus receives many inputs from the neighboring basal ganglia. Its role in basic cognitive functions has rarely been measured – [Read More] (Source: Editors' Choice)
Source: Editors' Choice - November 3, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Peter Stern Tags: Neuroscience Source Type: research
