EurekAlert! News by Subject: Biology - News by Subject: Biology

Biology

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 24-Sep-2025 06:10 ET (24-Sep-2025 10:10 GMT/UTC)

24-Apr-2025

Researchers at TalTech find that the activation of AMPK is dependent on muscle type

Estonian Research Council
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers from the Laboratory of Systems Biology, Department of Cybernetics at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia, recently found that the extent of AMPK activation is not the same in all muscles. The muscles in our body are different, as they are adapted to the work they perform. Muscles performing continuous work, such as the heart and postural muscles that keep us upright all day, have more mitochondria that make ATP to fuel the work.

Journal: AJP Endocrinology and Metabolism
Funder: Estonian Research Council

24-Apr-2025

One gene defines the many patterns of snake skin

Université de Genève
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In many animals, skin colouration and its patterns play a crucial role in camouflage, communication, or thermoregulation. In the corn snake, some morphs display red, yellow, or pink blotches, and their dorsal spots can merge or turn into stripes. But which genetic and cellular mechanisms determine these colourful patterns? A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) discovered that a single gene, CLCN2, is involved in these variations. The study, published in Genome Biology, opens new perspectives on the evolution and genetics of animal colouration.

Journal: Genome Biology

23-Apr-2025

Mice exhibit altruistic rescue behavior driven by oxytocin

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers led by Dr. HU Li from the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dr. CHEN Zhoufeng from Washington University School of Medicine and the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation have found that mice can instinctively exhibit rescue-like behavior toward anesthetized conspecifics—without any prior training or external rewards. The study, published in PNAS, offers compelling evidence that prosocial behavior may be deeply rooted in biology, extending even to small mammals like mice.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

23-Apr-2025

Chinese scientists prove swamp forest collapse linked to human activity

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Chinese scientists have discovered that fragile swamp forests in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region suddenly collapsed around 2.1 thousand years ago (ka)—with human activity as the cause.

Journal: Science Advances

23-Apr-2025

Giant extinct kangaroos preferred home to roam

PLOS
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Giant kangaroos stuck close to home and went extinct when climate change caused that home to disappear, according to a study published April 23, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Christopher Laurikainen Gaete of the University of Wollongong, Australia and colleagues.

Journal: PLOS One

23-Apr-2025

Paying fishers to release endangered catches can aid conservation, but only if done right

University of Oxford
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study from the University of Oxford has revealed that an incentive programme increased live releases of endangered species caught as bycatch. However, unexpectedly, the overall positive impact was reduced by some vessels increasing catches of these species. The study is the world’s first randomised controlled trial to conclusively assess the effectiveness of an incentive-based marine conservation programme, with the findings published today (23 April) in the journal Science Advances.

Journal: Science Advances

23-Apr-2025

Researchers uncover new and surprising traction trait in sculpins

Syracuse University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers from Syracuse University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette discovered tiny features on sculpins’ fins which may enable them to cling firmly in harsh underwater environments.

Journal: Royal Society Open Science