Online_Community_Centre: Science News

Plant root hairs key to reducing soil erosion

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 06:47:43 GMT

Source - The tiny hairs found on plant roots play a pivotal role in helping reduce soil erosion, a new study has found. The research, led by the University of Bristol and published in Communications Biology, provides compelling evidence that when root hairs interact with the surrounding soil they reduce soil erosion and increase soil cohesion by binding soil particles.

The facial expressions of mice

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 06:46:31 GMT

Source - Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology are the first to describe different emotional facial expressions for mice. Similar to humans, the face of a mouse looks completely different when it tastes something sweet or bitter, or when it becomes anxious. With this new possibility to render the emotions of mice measurable, neurobiologists can now investigate the basic mechanisms of how emotions are generated and processed in the brain.

Discovery of life in solid rock deep beneath sea may inspire new search for life on Mars

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 06:44:57 GMT

Source - Newly discovered single-celled creatures living deep beneath the seafloor have given researchers clues about how they might find life on Mars. These bacteria were discovered living in tiny cracks inside volcanic rocks after researchers persisted over a decade of trial and error to find a new way to examine the rocks.

Leaking away essential resources isn't wasteful, actually helps cells grow

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 15:16:56 GMT

Source - Experts have been unable to explain why cells from bacteria to humans leak essential chemicals necessary for growth into their environment. New mathematical models reveal that leaking metabolites -- substances involved in the chemical processes to sustain life with production of complex molecules and energy -- may provide cells both selfish and selfless benefits.

Researchers discover new arsenic compounds in rice fields

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 17:06:20 GMT

Source - University of Bayreuth researchers, together with scientists from Italy and China, have for the first time systematically investigated under which conditions, and to what extent, sulphur-containing arsenic compounds are formed in rice-growing soils. To date, these thioarsenates have not been taken into account in assessments of the health effects of rice consumption. In the journal Nature Geoscience, the scientists present their results and identify the urgent need for research with a view to protecting consumers from health risks.