A 13-year study led by Anne Bernhard, professor of biology at Connecticut College, found that prolonged drought in southeastern Connecticut was associated with reduced stability in key nitrogen-cycling microbes in a coastal salt marsh. The research, published in Estuaries and Coasts, examined microbial communities from 2006 to 2019, including a severe drought from 2013 to 2018.

While most microbial groups declined during dry periods, ammonia-oxidizing archaea and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria showed the largest fluctuations in abundance. Archaeal amoA gene abundances were nearly 35 times higher in wet conditions than in dry conditions. After drought conditions eased, abundances returned to levels more similar to those observed before the dry period.

The findings provide long-term field evidence that extended drought can alter the stability of microbes central to nitrogen cycling in coastal marshes.

Researchers have found that the size of the amygdala – a region of the brain involved in processing emotions – could be linked to social tolerance in macaque monkeys.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) proudly announces Kyle M. Loh, Stanford University School of Medicine, as the recipient of the 2026 ISSCR Early Career Impact Award, recognizing his transformative contributions to human pluripotent stem cell biology and his exceptional commitment to mentorship and inclusion. The award is supported by the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute, and Dr. Loh will present his work during ISSCR 2026 taking place on 8-11 July in Montréal, Canada.

A protein, the farnesoid X receptor, that is a key modulator of fat, glucose and cholesterol levels in the body usually works in tandem with another protein, but new research shows it can also work with an unexpected partner — itself.

Luna Labs has selected UNC Greensboro (UNCG) chemistry professor Nicholas Oberlies to lead a NASA-funded project exploring whether fungi can be grown into building materials for construction on the moon and Mars. The project will investigate whether certain fungi can be combined with regolith — loose rock and soil found on the surface of the moon and other planets — to create materials that could one day support construction in places other than Earth.

A research group led by Associate Professor Tetsuya Muramoto from the Faculty of Science, Toho University, has established a CRISPR genome editing technique that enables comparative analysis of the evolution of multicellularity across different species of social amoebas (cellular slime molds). Until now, genetic studies had been largely restricted to a single model species, limiting cross-species comparisons.These findings were published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports on February 5, 2026.

A research team has conducted a study exploring the role of the mannose pathway in regulating cell fate decisions in low glucose environments. Their work may hold potential for novel therapeutic strategies in cancer treatments. The research is published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry on January 28, 2026.