Latest Biology News & Discoveries: Cutting-Edge Research in Life Sciences - SciTechDaily

1. Frozen in Time: The Hidden Trick That Keeps Human Eggs Alive for Decades
   Human eggs can remain viable for decades by dialing down their internal recycling systems, new research shows. Studying over 100 freshly donated eggs, scientists discovered that slowing protein breakdown helps minimize harmful byproducts that could damage DNA. The eggs also perform a last-minute “spring cleaning” before ovulation, ejecting waste and rearranging key components to preserve [...]
2. What 1,500-Year-Old Poo Reveals About Vanishing Species
   Ancient kākāpō droppings have revealed a startling truth: more than 80% of the bird’s parasites have disappeared. This “coextinction” shows that as endangered animals struggle to survive, their microscopic companions often vanish first. Ancient Poo Reveals a Hidden Timeline Researchers from the University of Adelaide, New Zealand’s Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research and University of Auckland have [...]
3. Scientists Discover “Master Key” Protein for Stronger Memory and Learning
   Research led by Rutgers suggests there could be significant new possibilities for treating neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries. Researchers have uncovered how a specific protein supports the stability of connections between brain cells, which are essential for learning and memory. According to the scientists, their findings, published in the journal Science Advances, may lead to [...]
4. New Discovery Rewrites the Rules of Protein Stability and Evolution
   A large-scale experiment has uncovered the fundamental rules that govern protein stability, opening the door to more rapid development of drugs and enzymes. Proteins are essential molecular machines that power countless processes in living organisms. They help turn sunlight into energy, support the immune system by fighting off viruses, and much more. Each protein is [...]
5. Fermented Fruit, Buzzed Apes, and the Surprising Roots of Our Alcohol Tolerance
   Long before humans brewed their first beer, our primate ancestors may have been getting buzzed on fallen, fermented fruit. Scientists have coined the term “scrumping” to describe this overlooked behavior, when apes forage for ripe or rotting fruit on the forest floor. This habit could have triggered a genetic shift that allowed early humans to [...]