New research shows that variation in mating behaviours, parental care and differences in ornamentation of the sexes in bird species is driven by demographics rather than vice versa.

The research, led by Professor Kevin J. Naidoo working with Dr Lateef Nashed (SCRU Glycobiomedical laboratory) and SCRU computational scientists Dr Tharindu Senapthi and doctoral student Kyllen Dilsook, focused on Mucin 1 (MUC1), a protein that behaves very differently in healthy and cancerous cells due to changes in glycosylation, the process by which sugar molecules attach to proteins. Using a novel “one-pot” synthetic biology method, combined with advanced computer-based reaction simulations, the team recreated the complex conditions found inside the cell’s Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus.

While aging is known to weaken bone repair, the underlying causes remain unclear. Researchers have now discovered that mitochondrial DNA structures called G-quadruplex accumulate in periosteal stem cells, disrupting energy production and driving cellular senescence. This shift impairs bone regeneration while increasing cartilage formation, a hallmark of poor healing. By identifying this mechanism, the study offers insights into potential targets for therapies to improve bone repair in older adults.

Chalk-stream salmon should be officially classified as a sub-species, new research suggests.