EurekAlert! News by Subject: Biology - News by Subject: Biology

Biology

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 6-Nov-2025 04:11 ET (6-Nov-2025 09:11 GMT/UTC)

Island reptiles face extinction before they are even studied, warns global review

University of Oxford
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study led by the University of Oxford has revealed that reptiles confined to islands are facing a double jeopardy. Despite being more likely to go extinct than mainland species, they remain largely ignored by researchers compared to their mainland counterparts.

Journal: Conservation Science and Practice

Widely used pesticides may lower sperm count

George Mason University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Research by George Mason alumna, student, and faculty in the colleges of public health and science highlights compelling evidence that neonicotinoid pesticides, insect killers commonly used in farming, may reduce sperm quality.

Journal: Environmental Research

Scripps Research team identifies sugar molecules that trigger placental formation

Scripps Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Study reveals how sugar-protein interactions are critical for the placenta during early pregnancy, shedding light on complications like preeclampsia and restricted fetal growth.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

New environmental DNA test could help rare hammerhead sharks fight extinction

Florida International University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A groundbreaking test developed by an FIU scientist can detect small, elusive hammerheads without ever setting eyes on them — a critical new tool for species fighting for survival.

Journal: Frontiers in Marine Science
Funder: Explorers Club, Save Our Seas Foundation, National Philanthropic Trust, National Geographic Society

A path to safer painkillers – revealed by freezing opioids and their protein receptors in motion

University of Southern California
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In a first, scientists used cryo-electron microscopy to visualize how opioids and the antidote naloxone (Narcan) engage the mu-opioid receptor, offering insight that could lead to better pain treatments and improved overdose reversal.

Journal: Nature
Funder: NIH/National Institutes of Health

Parent-teen sexual health communication and teens’ health information and service seeking

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of 522 parent-teen dyads, frequent parent-teen sexual health communication was associated with increased teen self-efficacy for sexual and reproductive health information and service seeking, but this depended on how comfortable and informed their parents felt. These findings suggest that parents must possess accurate information and comfort to discuss sexual health topics.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Scientists complete first drafts of developing mammalian brain cell atlases

Allen Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A global team of scientists have created the first and most comprehensive mammalian 'developmental' brain cell atlases to date. Shedding light into the developmental stages of the brain is profoundly important because helps researchers and the global scientific community understand the vulnerabilities and mutations which can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Journal: Nature
Funder: BRAIN Initiative

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