Female gorillas must balance the reproductive costs of staying with or leaving an older male

When a gorilla group's silverback is close to the end of his reproductive years, females face a dilemma: Should they stay with him until he dies or leave him for another male? A team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology has now found that both strategies bear its costs: females face reproductive costs of staying with an older male as well as costs when they transfer to a new silverback.

Analysis of fingermarks with synchrotron techniques provide new insights

The findings by lead researchers Prof Simon Lewis and Dr. Mark Hackett may provide opportunities to optimise current fingermark detection methods or identify new detection strategies for forensic purposes.

Researchers create efficient semisynthesis of biopharmaceutic-Fc conjugates

Biopharmaceutics consisting of middle molecules, for example, peptide or nucleic-acid aptamers, have been attracting attention as promising molecular modalities in current drug discovery.

Time-saving simulation of peeling graphene sheets

Control of atomic-scale friction and adhesion is critical for effective manipulation of the motion of nano- or micro-meter scale objects at interfaces. For example, in nanotechnology controlling adhesion during the peeling process of graphene sheets plays a very important role in manipulation and fabrication. Graphene is a promising material due to its mechanical, electronic, magnetic, spintronic, and optical properties. In previous work, a comparison between simulation and experiment of peeling graphene has revealed its unique frictional and adhesive properties.

Recipe for planets

It's not every day that clues about the origin of our solar system fall from the sky, but one Victoria University of Wellington researcher has found just that—in a meteorite that collided with Earth 50 years ago.

Cancer research: The genetic context is crucial

A team at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich has uncovered a mechanism behind the variability in the clinical course of Ewing sarcoma. The interaction between the acquired driver mutation and the germline genetic context in which it occurs determines the course of the disease.

Scientists explore genetic engineering to treat Parkinson's disease

Researchers of Sechenov University and University of Pittsburgh have described the most promising strategies in applying genetic engineering for studying and treating Parkinson's disease. This method could reveal the role of various cellular processes in progression of the disease, lead to new drugs and therapies, and determine their efficacy using animal disease models. The study was published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine.

Chameleon inspires 'smart skin' that changes color in the sun

A chameleon can alter the color of its skin so it either blends into the background to hide or stands out to defend its territory and attract a mate. The chameleon makes this trick look easy, using photonic crystals in its skin. Scientists, however, have struggled to make a photonic crystal "smart skin" that changes color in response to the environment, without also changing in size.

Can a DNA construction kit replace expensive antibody medication?

Researchers at KU Leuven in Belgium have developed a technique to make sheep produce new antibodies simply by injecting the DNA building blocks. This approach is much cheaper and more efficient than producing antibodies industrially and administering them afterwards. The study in animals with a similar size as humans brings us a step closer to the clinical use of antibody gene therapy.

International conflict isn't declining, new analysis finds

Contrary to popular belief, war is not declining, according to a new analysis of the last 200 years of international conflict.

Discovery challenges accepted rule of organic solar cell design

Solar cells that use mixtures of organic molecules to absorb sunlight and convert it to electricity, that can be applied to curved surfaces such as the body of a car, could be a step closer thanks to a discovery that challenges conventional thinking about one of the key components of these devices.

Jaws reveal Australia's ancient marsupial panda

New research has revealed that Australia's extinct short-faced kangaroos were a marsupial version of the giant panda, with jaws adapted to browsing woody, poor-quality vegetation.

Cloud-based tool provides clear communication for disaster situations

When a manmade or natural disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane, hits a populated area, communication devices such as cell phones are often impacted, leading to a reduction or inability to communicate for the first responders deployed in the immediate aftermath. A collaboration of researchers at the University of Missouri is hoping to provide better communication to first responders during that crucial time.

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 at center of game rumors, guesstimates

The rumors on what's next for gamers from Nvidia held sway over news headlines this week. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super on its way? What's the big deal? Nvidia planning to debut GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Graphics Card? What's the big deal?

Fire forces Japan to cancel rocket launch to ISS

A pre-dawn fire on Wednesday forced Japan's space agency to cancel the launch of an unnamed rocket meant to deliver supplies to the International Space Station, the operator said.

Veterans with PTSD, anxiety turn to beekeeping for relief

Gently lifting a wooden frame containing dozens of Italian honeybees, Vince Ylitalo seemed transfixed as he and several other veterans inspected the buzzing insects.

EPA to scale back use of animals to test chemical toxicity

The Environmental Protection Agency is aiming to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of mammals to test the toxicity of chemicals, a move backed by animal rights groups but criticized as irresponsible by a leading environmental organization.

No-spray zones divide French farmers from anxious neighbors

When tractors laden with pesticides and other chemicals start spraying the vineyards that produce fruity Bordeaux wines, Marie-Lys Bibeyran's phone starts to ring.

Focusing on key sustainable development goals would boost progress across all, analysis finds

By using a mathematical network analysis to map the relationships identified by an International Council for Science report, the University of Bath research reveals that direct efforts focussed on a critical few: Life below Water, Life on Land, and Gender Equality, would reinforce the virtuous circles buried in the network and hence lead to greater overall progress.

How long does a whale feed? New data gives insight into blue and fin whale behavior

Researchers using electronic tags were able to monitor blue and fin whales off the coast of Southern California over multiple weeks, providing new insight into the feeding behaviors of the two largest whale species. The researchers also found evidence of differences in the feeding intensity and habitat use of males and females of both species.

Uber trims more staff as it seeks a route to profit

Uber on Tuesday said it was laying off about eight percent of its product and engineering teams as the smartphone-summoned ride service tries to map a route to profitability.

Amazon bets big on India with mega-office

With 49 elevators moving a floor per second and zumba classes for its more than 15,000 employees, Amazon's new Indian headquarters, its biggest building globally, matches its ambitions in a vast but challenging market.

Apple takes on Netflix with a $5-a-month streaming service

Apple is finally taking on Netflix with its own streaming television service and, uncharacteristically for the company, offering it at a bargain price—$5 a month beginning on Nov. 1.

Motorbike taxi apps jostle for trade on crowded Lagos roads

Banker Yemi Adegbola used to leave his home in Lagos before 4 am each day, but would still arrive late to work because of the notorious traffic in Nigeria's biggest city.