A groundbreaking study from Tel Aviv University, the first of its kind on mammals, has found that bats living in urban environments give birth, on average, about 2.5 weeks earlier than bats living in rural areas. The researchers attribute this difference in birthing times between the city and the countryside to more favorable temperatures and greater food abundance in urban areas. Bats are mammals, making this the first study to link the urban living environment to the timing of birth in mammals.

Centrosomes are nonmembrane organelles and responsible for microtubule nucleation and organization. Centrosomal RNAs have been identified in diverse model systems and are known to regulate gene expression during cell division in many species. However, whether and how centrosomal RNAs exist in C. elegans and, if yes, their functions and mechanisms remain unclear. A recent study published in SCIENCE CHINA Life Sciences explored the potential presence and biogenesis of peri-centrosome localized small interfering (si)RNAs in C. elegans by utilizing the nuclear RNAi Argonaute protein NRDE-3 as a reporter. The findings suggest that the peri-centrosomal region may serve as a platform for RNAi-mediated gene regulation, offering new insights into centrosomal (si)RNAs.

A new study in Nature describing a fossil of a nearly complete and intact bird skull from Antarctica is shedding light on the early evolution of today’s birds and avian diversity at the end of the Age of Dinosaurs.

New research shows that a network of subcellular structures similar to those responsible for propagating molecular signals that make muscles contract are also responsible for transmitting signals in the brain that may facilitate learning and memory.

The PREPSOIL project, part of the EU Mission Soil, aims to enhance soil literacy by encouraging teachers across Europe to integrate soil topics into their lessons. In 2023 and 2024, educators submitted over 50 innovative soil education practices for primary, secondary, and vocational students. A selection committee chose outstanding entries from six countries, highlighting creative interdisciplinary approaches.

Key partners, such as the Re Soil Foundation in Italy and the Swedish Centre for School Biology, played crucial roles in promoting the initiative. Despite challenges in reaching educators in some regions, PREPSOIL continues to drive awareness about soil health.

A webinar on February 13, 2025, will feature two competition winners presenting their projects.

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have analysed the soft tissue from a fossilized plesiosaur for the first time. The results show that the long-necked marine reptile had both smooth and scaly skin. This was likely so it could both swim rapidly and move along rough seabeds.