Simulations demonstrate potential mechanisms of intermediate-mass black hole formation in globular clusters

Joint research led by Michiko Fujii of the University of Tokyo demonstrates a possible formation mechanism of intermediate-mass black holes in globular clusters, star clusters that could contain tens of thousands or even millions of tightly packed stars. Joint research led by Michiko Fujii of the University of Tokyo demonstrates a possible formation mechanism of intermediate-mass…

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Novel virus identified in zebrafish from the pet trade causes disease in laboratory fish

Zebrafish in the pet trade are asymptomatic carriers of previously undescribed microbes, including a novel virus that causes hemorrhaging in infected laboratory fish, Marlen Rice from the University of Utah, US, and colleagues report in the open-access journal PLOS Biology. Zebrafish in the pet trade are asymptomatic carriers of previously undescribed microbes, including a novel virus…

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Study suggests faster decomposition rates in waterways could exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions, threaten biodiversity

Humans may be accelerating the rate at which organic matter decomposes in rivers and streams on a global scale, according to a new study from the University of Georgia, Oakland University and Kent State University. Humans may be accelerating the rate at which organic matter decomposes in rivers and streams on a global scale, according to…

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New method uses light to enable the generation of non-canonical amino acids

UC Santa Barbara researchers are building out the repertoire of chemical reactions, using light. In a paper published in the journal Nature, chemistry professor Yang Yang and collaborators at the University of Pittsburgh report a method using photobiocatalysis to produce non-canonical (not naturally occurring) amino acids that are valuable building blocks of peptide therapeutics, bioactive…

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Study shows cuckoos evolve to look like their hosts—and form new species in the process

The theory of coevolution says that when closely interacting species drive evolutionary changes in each other this can lead to speciation—the evolution of new species. But until now, real-world evidence for this has been scarce. The theory of coevolution says that when closely interacting species drive evolutionary changes in each other this can lead to speciation—the…

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