The age at which babies take their first steps is strongly influenced by their genes, according to new research from the University of Surrey. In the first study of its kind, scientists analysed the genetic information of more than 70,000 infants. They identified 11 genetic markers influencing when babies start walking, thus offering multiple targets for future in-depth biological investigation. 

For the first time, researchers at Leipzig University and other institutions have gained comprehensive insights into the entire nervous system of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). The findings were recently published in Nature, marking the first study to describe in detail the neurons that span the entire nervous system of the adult fruit fly. The researchers also, for the first time, compared the complete set of neural connections (the connectome) in a female and a male specimen – and identified differences.

In research published in New Phytologist, investigators reveal that tomato ripening is regulated by the same mechanism that contributes to humans' and animals' life- and health-span.

Research published in Global Change Biology provides new insights into how large carnivore conservation represents an understudied component in nature-based solutions to climate change as it promotes “top-down” vegetation recovery much like forest protection and restoration support predator recovery from the “bottom-up."