Biology News

Biology news serves several important purposes, contributing to both scientific advancement and public awareness to explore the captivating world of biology, where innovation and discovery unfold at a breathtaking pace. For students preparing for competitive exams of biology, staying updated with the latest developments in biology news can be a valuable strategy to excel in exams and gain a deeper understanding of the subject. We are living in an era where biology is not just a science; it’s a dynamic force reshaping our understanding of life itself.

Biology News List:

Why Biology News Matters:

1. Relevance to Exam Content: Competitive exams in biological science often include questions based on recent advancements and discoveries in the field. By staying updated with biology news, you can ensure that your knowledge aligns with the latest exam trends and topics.
2. Application-Based Learning: Biology news articles frequently highlight real-world applications of scientific concepts, providing valuable insights into how theoretical knowledge translates into practical scenarios. Understanding these applications can help you tackle application-based questions with confidence during exams.
3. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Engaging with biology news requires critical analysis and interpretation of scientific information. This process enhances your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for navigating complex exam questions and scenarios.
4. Demonstrating Awareness and Interest: Demonstrating awareness of current developments in biology showcases your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the subject. Examiners often value candidates who show a proactive approach to learning and stay updated with the latest advancements in their field.

Watch The Video of Biology News Here

Strategies for Incorporating Biology News into Exam Preparation:

1. Follow Reliable Sources: Identify reputable sources of biology news, such as scientific journals, reputable news outlets, and academic websites. These sources provide accurate and reliable information that is relevant to your exam syllabus.
2. Create a Study Schedule: Allocate dedicated time in your study schedule to review biology news regularly. Set aside specific intervals each week to read articles, watch videos, or listen to podcasts covering recent developments in the field.
3. Stay Organized: Organize biology news articles based on their relevance to your exam syllabus or specific topics. Create digital or physical folders to categorize and store articles for easy reference during revision.
4. Engage in Active Learning: Actively engage with news of biology by critically analyzing and reflecting on the information presented. Consider the implications of discoveries, identify connections to your exam syllabus, and discuss key findings with peers or mentors.
5. Practice Application-Based Questions: As you encounter new concepts and discoveries in the news of biology, challenge yourself to answer application-based questions that require you to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios. Practice solving such questions to reinforce your understanding and prepare for exam-style assessments.

Incorporating biology news into your exam preparation strategy can enhance your understanding of key concepts, develop critical thinking skills, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the subject. By staying informed about the latest developments in biology, you position yourself for success in competitive exams and beyond. With consistent effort and a proactive approach to learning, the news of biology becomes not only a valuable resource but also a catalyst for academic achievement in biological science exams.

Frequently Asked Question(FAQ):

Some curious fragments of DNA hidden within genomes across all life forms have historically been overlooked, as they appeared to have no role in survival competition—until now. Phage viruses, that used regularly to combat against antibiotic resistance, gain an advantage with the help of these curious fragments or selfish genetic elements of viruses by inhibiting a competitor’s ability to reproduce.

If you want to know recent biology news like selfish genetic elements of viruses, then read here: Why Fasting is Not Always Good for Your Health, Specific Genomic Changes in the Monkeypox Virus Associated with Their Transmissibility, Better View of Living Bacteria with New Mid-Infrared Nanoscopy.

Discovery of Selfish Genetic Elements of Viruses

• Decades ago, biologists noted the existence of selfish genetic elements but could not identify any role they played in aiding the host organism’s survival and reproduction.
• Research by scientists at the University of California San Diego has uncovered new evidence suggesting that these DNA elements might not be so selfish after all. Instead, they seem to play a significant role in the interactions between competing organisms.
• In this new study, which focused on “jumbo” phages, the researchers examined the dynamics when two phages co-infect a single bacterial cell and compete with each other.
• They closely studied endonuclease, an enzyme that acts as a DNA-cutting tool. The endonuclease from one phage’s mobile intron interferes with the genome of the competing phage.
• This enzyme cuts an essential gene in the competitor’s genome, sabotaging its ability to properly assemble its progeny and reproduce.
• This weaponized intron endonuclease gives a competitive advantage to the phage carrying it.
• “We were able to clearly delineate the mechanism that gives an advantage and how that happens at the molecular level,” said Chase Morgan, a co-first author of the paper.

Why Viruses are Not So selfish After All

• The DNA segments, known as selfish genetic elements of viruses or bacteriophages (phages) were believed to exist solely to reproduce and spread themselves, offering no apparent benefit to their host organisms.
• Scientists saw them as genetic hitchhikers, inconsequentially passed down through generations.
• The selfish genetic elements known as “mobile introns” give their virus hosts a competitive edge against other viruses: phages have weaponized mobile introns to disrupt the reproduction of competing phages.

How Bacteriophage Kills Bacteria Watch Here

Significance of This Discovery

• The selfish genetic elements are not always purely ‘selfish’ has broad implications for understanding genome evolution across all kingdoms of life.”
• The study’s results are crucial as phage viruses are increasingly used as therapeutic tools against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Doctors have been using “cocktails” of phages to combat infections in this growing crisis, and the new information will likely be significant when multiple phages are deployed.
• Understanding that some phages use selfish genetic elements as weapons against others could help researchers understand why certain phage combinations may not achieve their full therapeutic potential.
• “The phages in this study can be used to treat patients with bacterial infections associated with cystic fibrosis,” said Biological Sciences Professor Joe Pogliano.

FAQ:

How cells enhance gene expression by antisense RNA? Antisense RNA plays a crucial role in gene expression by regulating the activity of specific genes. By preventing the production of certain proteins, antisense RNA helps control various cellular processes, ensuring that genes are expressed at the right levels and times. This regulation is vital for maintaining cellular function and responding to environmental changes.

If you want to know recent biology news like How Cells Enhance Gene Expression, then read here: Why Fasting is Not Always Good for Your Health, Specific Genomic Changes in the Monkeypox Virus Associated with Their Transmissibility, Better View of Living Bacteria with New Mid-Infrared Nanoscopy.

Role of RNA in Gene Expression:

• RNA (ribonucleic acid) is essential for converting DNA information into proteins. There are various types of RNA, including messenger RNA (mRNA).
• Just visit types of RNA here
• As a type of coding RNA, mRNA’s function is to carry the genetic instructions for protein synthesis from the DNA in the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm, where these instructions are used by other cellular components to produce proteins.
• In addition to coding RNA, cells produce large quantities of non-coding RNA. A significant portion of this non-coding RNA is complementary to mRNA and is known as antisense RNA (asRNA). The role of asRNA has long been a mystery.

How Cells Enhance Gene Expression:

• The research team team discovered that antisense RNA binds with mRNA, facilitating its transport from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm.
• This results in faster translation of mRNA into proteins compared to when antisense RNA is absent.
• Thus, antisense RNA acts as a “booster” for gene expression, which is crucial for cells, especially when facing harmful environmental conditions or stress.

Prospect of This Research:

• This new research builds on the team’s previous work, also published in Nature, which demonstrated that mRNAs activated under stress bypass quality control.
• The recent findings clarify why cells produce large amounts of antisense RNA (asRNA), given the significant energy investment involved.
• The newly identified mechanism explains how cells rapidly respond to external stimuli by producing essential proteins in large quantities, allowing them to adapt to environmental changes or enter specific developmental stages.
• This new understanding positions asRNAs at the forefront of research into disease development and potential treatments.

To explain how cells enhance gene expression Professor Heike Krebber from Gottingen University’s Institute of Microbiology and Genetics said “I couldn’t believe that cells would generate RNAs without a purpose. This goes against natural principles.”

FAQ:

Traditionally, proteins are studied at low temperatures to maintain stability. Yet, a recent study illustrates that specific proteins exhibit high sensitivity to temperature and undergo structural changes when observed at body temperature. So heating proteins to body temperature uncovers new drug targets these findings, published today in Nature.

If you want to know recent biology news like heating proteins to body temperature uncovers new drug targets, then read here: Why Fasting is Not Always Good for Your Health, Specific Genomic Changes in the Monkeypox Virus Associated with Their Transmissibility, Better View of Living Bacteria with New Mid-Infrared Nanoscopy.

About TRPM4 Protein:

• Certain proteins alter their shape when exposed to different temperatures and reveal previously unknown binding sites for medications. These findings could transform various areas of biology by fundamentally changing the study of protein structures and their use in drug design.
• The research centered on TRPM4, a protein essential for heart function and metabolism, including insulin release. Consequently, TRPM4 is associated with various health conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
• TRPM4 is a type of protein known as a transient receptor potential (TRP) channel. It plays a crucial role in various physiological processes within the body.
• The TRPM4 protein is a transmembrane protein, meaning it spans the cell membrane. It consists of multiple domains, including transmembrane domains that form the channel pore and regulatory domains that control its activity.
• The TRPM4 protein is involved in regulating the flow of ions, particularly calcium ions, across cell membranes. It helps control cell signaling, which is essential for numerous functions, including heart function, metabolism, and insulin release.

How Drugs Enter into the Cell Membrane Watch Here

Experiment of How Heating Proteins to Body Temperature Uncovers New Drug Targets:

Proteins serve as the molecular engines of the body, with their shape dictating their interactions with other molecules to carry out their functions. By unraveling protein structures, scientists can craft templates that steer the development of more potent medications and thus heating proteins to body temperature uncovers new drug targets.

FAQ:

A recent study published in the Journal of Virology, a publication of the American Society for Microbiology, found that a small number of wild birds in New York City carry highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza and this is a highly infectious bird flu virus.

If you want to know recent biology news like Highly Infectious Bird Flu Virus Detected in New York City, then read here: Why Fasting is Not Always Good for Your Health, Specific Genomic Changes in the Monkeypox Virus Associated with Their Transmissibility, Better View of Living Bacteria with New Mid-Infrared Nanoscopy.

About H5N1:

The H5N1 virus, commonly known as avian influenza or bird flu, is a type of influenza virus that primarily affects birds but can also infect humans and other animals. It is highly pathogenic, meaning it can cause severe disease and death in poultry and has significant implications for public health and agriculture.

Transmission

H5N1 is primarily spread through direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, or contaminated environments. Human infections are rare but can occur, typically through close interaction with infected poultry. There is a concern among scientists about the potential for the virus to mutate and gain the ability to spread easily between humans, which could lead to a global pandemic.

Symptoms in Humans

In humans, H5N1 infection can cause a range of symptoms, from mild respiratory issues to severe respiratory distress and pneumonia. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The virus has a high mortality rate in humans, making it a serious public health concern.

Another Viral Infection is Here

How Highly Infectious Bird Flu Virus Detected in New York City:

According to the expert, it’s wise to stay vigilant and avoid contact with wildlife, including preventing pets from interacting with wild animals. If handling wildlife is necessary, it is crucial to always use safe practices when dealing with sick or injured birds or other animals because they may carry the highly infectious bird flu virus H5N1.

FAQ:

In the wake of the alarming decline of numerous animal and plant species towards endangerment and extinction, a scientist from the University of Michigan stresses the pressing need for chemists and pharmacists to actively engage in species conservation endeavors because pharmacists and chemists can become the key players in species conservation.

If you want to know recent biology news like pharmacists and chemists can become the key players in species conservation., then read here: Specific Genomic Changes in the Monkeypox Virus Associated with Their Transmissibility, Better View of Living Bacteria with New Mid-Infrared Nanoscopy, Why Green-to-Red Transformation of Euglena gracilis is in News.

Why Pharmacists and Chemists Can Become The Key Players in Species Conservation:

• Timothy Cernak, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry at the U-M College of Pharmacy, emphasizes the critical need for medicinal chemistry expertise on the forefront of extinction becausepharmacists and chemists can become the key players in species conservation.
• He highlights that while animals are facing alarming rates of mortality, there is hope through the application of modern bioscience breakthroughs, originally developed for human disease treatment, in wildlife conservation efforts so pharmacists and chemists can become the key players in species conservation.
• He emphasized that they are currently experiencing a widespread extinction event, with mass mortality events occurring globally. From lowland gorillas to Argentinian penguins, and the akikiki bird in Hawaii to loggerhead turtles in Florida, the list is extensive, with numerous precious plant species also teetering on the brink.
• With deadly fungus devastating Panamanian golden frogs, cancerous tumors afflicting loggerhead turtles, and a multitude of pests and diseases plaguing plants like the hemlock tree, conservation medicine faces a plethora of challenges to address.

Watch The Video of An Extinct Animal Here

Causes of Extinction:

According to Cernak, the ongoing mass extinction is propelled by factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, and excessive harvesting. However, one particular underlying issue is wildlife diseases, which presents a promising opportunity for intervention. Medicinal chemistry stands as that intervention and pharmacists and chemists can become the key players in species conservation.

Cernak’s laboratory has pioneered the application of artificial intelligence and other technologies to accelerate the drug discovery process. He emphasized that this advancement not only enhances the potential to assist animals and plants but also expedites the timeframe for providing such aid because pharmacists and chemists can become the key players in species conservation.

FAQ:

The researchers began their experiment by identifying mice that lacked a functional olfactory system, rendering them unable to perceive smells. These mice served as the subjects for the experiment, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the restoration of sensory function. This marks the first successful integration of sensory apparatus from one species into another. Thus researchers proves that hybrid brains help mice to smell like a rat.

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Experiment: Hybrid Brains Help Mice To Smell Like A Rat:

Watch The Video of Mice Here

Result of The Experiments:

They placed a cookie in each mouse cage and observed their ability to locate it using the rat neurons. However, some mice performed better than others in finding the cookie. That is hybrid brains help mice to smell like a rat.

The researchers discovered that mice retaining their own silenced olfactory neurons were less adept at finding hidden cookies compared to those whose olfactory neurons were engineered to vanish during development.

If you want to read more such biology news: Why Fasting is Not Always Good for Your Health, Cell Membrane Damage Promotes Cellular Senescence.

The hybrid brains help mice to smell like a rat. This indicates that adding replacement neurons isn’t a simple plug-and-play process. For functional replacement, it may be necessary to clear out dysfunctional neurons that are inactive, which could be relevant in certain neurodegenerative diseases as well as neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and schizophrenia.

FAQ:

A team of researchers has advanced our understanding of a crucial enzyme governing cell migration. Their recent publication in the journal Nature Communications highlights that the PI3K enzyme has both accelerator and brake functions.

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About PI3K:

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is a significant signaling enzyme extensively studied for over three decades due to its pivotal roles in essential cellular functions such as growth, survival, movement, and metabolism. It also plays a crucial role in cell migration and invasion, processes whose dysregulation can lead to various pathologies.

PI3K Enzyme Has Both Accelerator And Brake Functions:

Watch The Enzyme Action Here

Relation of PI3K Enzyme With Cancer:

1. Instead, the scientists reveal PI3K enzyme has both accelerator and brake functions but the braking function was identified as unique to the p85β subunit alone.
2. The p85β subunit of PI3K is associated with cancer-promoting characteristics, gaining a deeper comprehension of PI3K regulation and its isoform specificity could pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches.
3. These strategies could selectively target and inhibit the cancer-promoting attributes of PI3K while safeguarding the normal functions of PI3K in healthy cells.

If you want to read more such biology news: Why Fasting is Not Always Good for Your Health, Cell Membrane Damage Promotes Cellular Senescence.

While the PI3K enzyme has both accelerator and brake functions, the ongoing research on PI3K aims to deepen our understanding of PI3K signaling and develop more effective and safer therapies. Combining PI3K inhibitors with other cancer treatments shows promise in overcoming drug resistance and improving patient outcomes.

FAQ:

T. rex was not as smart as previously claimed is in top science news because the latest research, released today in The Anatomical Record, conducted by a collaborative team including the University of Bristol, delves into the methodologies for predicting brain size and neuron counts in dinosaur brains. The findings highlight the unreliability of previous assumptions regarding the brain size and neuron count in dinosaurs.

If you want to know recent biology news like T. rex was not as smart as previously claimed, then read here: Specific Genomic Changes in the Monkeypox Virus Associated with Their Transmissibility, Better View of Living Bacteria with New Mid-Infrared Nanoscopy, Why Green-to-Red Transformation of Euglena gracilis is in News.

About T. rex:

• Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) lived approximately 68 to 66 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period, in what is now North America.
• With its massive size, powerful jaws, and distinctive appearance, it belonged to a group of carnivorous dinosaurs known as theropods, characterized by their bipedal stance, sharp teeth, and predatory behavior.
• T. rex stood tall, reaching heights of up to 20 feet at the hips and lengths of around 40 feet from head to tail.
• Estimates suggest that it weighed between 9 and 14 metric tons, making it one of the largest land predators ever known.

Previous Research:

• A study published last year asserted that dinosaurs such as T. rex possessed an unusually large number of neurons, indicating higher intelligence than previously believed.
• This research suggested that these elevated neuron counts could offer insights into intelligence, metabolism, and life history, portraying T. rex as exhibiting behaviors reminiscent of primates.
• Additionally, the study suggested that T. rex might have displayed cognitive abilities such as cultural transmission of knowledge and potential tool use.

Watch The Video of The Dinosaur Here

Research: Why T. rex Was Not As Smart As Previously Claimed:

The recent scientific research that is T. rex was not as smart as previously claimed has challenged the long-standing perception of Tyrannosaurus rex as a highly intelligent predator. Studies comparing the brain structure of T. rex to other dinosaurs and modern-day birds, its closest living relatives, indicate that its brain-to-body ratio was relatively low.

FAQ on T. rex Was Not As Smart As Previously Claimed