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Biology

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 6-Jun-2026 11:15 ET (6-Jun-2026 15:15 GMT/UTC)

Ant societies rose by trading individual protection for collective power

University of Maryland
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Building prolific ant legions takes tons of resources—but a new study finds that certain species cut corners by skimping out on protective armor.

Journal: Science Advances
Funder: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, University of Cambridge, Research Grant Council of Hong Kong

Research reveals how ancient viral DNA shapes early embryonic development

Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study from the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) in London, UK reveals how ancient viral DNA once written off as “junk” plays a crucial role in the earliest moments of life. The research, published today in Science Advances, begins to untangle the role of an ancient viral DNA element called MERVL in mouse embryonic development and provides new insights into a human muscle wasting disease.

Journal: Science Advances
Funder: UK Research and Innovation, Medical Research Council

A molecular gatekeeper that controls protein synthesis

ETH Zurich
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at ETH Zurich recently explained the role of a molecular complex that orchestrates production of proteins in our cells. They now show that this complex also controls the processing of proteins that compact DNA. These new insights could form the basis for new approaches in cancer treatment, but they also critically extend the current understanding of protein biosynthesis.

Journal: Science Advances

What determines the fate of a T cell?

Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have found that a cellular housekeeping mechanism called autophagy plays a major role in ensuring that T stem cells undergo normal cell division. The findings, published in “Nature Cell Biology,” could help boost vaccine response in older adults.

Journal: Nature Cell Biology

Blocking a key inflammatory pathway improves liver structure and vascular function in cirrhosis, study finds

Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Using human liver samples and a mouse model of cirrhosis, researchers identified epigenetic overactivation of the inflammatory PAF–PAF-R pathway in hepatic macrophages as a key driver of liver damage. Published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, the study shows that blocking this pathway improves liver structure and vascular function, highlighting a promising target for future cirrhosis therapies.

Journal: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
Funder: Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Generalitat Valenciana, Cátedra de Cronicidad UMH, Wissenschaftsfonds FW

Multi-lab collaboration unites math and biology

University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An interdisciplinary team of University of Tennessee, Knoxville researchers recently published in Biophysical Journal on their development of a new statistical method that improves analysis in single-molecule fluorescence experiments, which are used to study important protein complexes in cells.

Journal: Biophysical Journal

Singapore scientists show targeting cancer stem cells can prevent gastric cancer recurrence

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists from A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (A*STAR IMCB) have identified the specific cells responsible for gastric cancer's tendency to return after treatment. The study also demonstrated that eliminating these cells stops tumours from growing, even in advanced disease that has spread to other organs.

Journal: Science

Newly discovered Philippine pitcher plant already in danger from climate change, poaching

Ateneo de Manila University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new species of pitcher plant found only on Palawan Island is already at risk of extinction due to frequent severe weather conditions and human encroachment.

Journal: Phytotaxa

Key lung immune cells can intensify allergic reactions

Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie
Peer-Reviewed Publication

New research by scientists at VIB and UGent reveals that immune cells in the lung, long thought to protect against inflammation, can, under certain conditions, make allergic reactions such as asthma worse. Their work appears in the journal Immunity.

Journal: Immunity
Funder: EOS, ERC, FWO, Ghent University