A survey on larvae of Japanese wasps revealed that not only is their diet more diverse than previously thought, it also showed that wild colonies prey on more species of vertebrates than had been reported in the past. The Kobe University study highlights the potential for management practices that are sustainable both ecologically and culturally.

Plants require phosphorus to grow and survive. In environments with low levels of soil phosphorus, some plants have adapted by forming cluster roots to extract the small amount of phosphorus available in the soil. Researchers recently performed an RNA-Seq experiment on cluster roots of Hakea laurina to identify important genes involved in the survival of the Proteaceae plant family in low-phosphorus soil. The team discovered a new secretion pathway in H. laurina cluster roots and that the absence of a suberized exodermis further enhances this trait. This knowledge may be applied to engineering crops that can thrive in phosphorus-poor soil.

A new scientific study led by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance researchers sheds light on the social dynamics that drive the continued consumption of bear bile in Việt Nam, revealing that gift-giving among close social networks plays a crucial role in sustaining demand. The findings suggest that conservation efforts could be more effective if they focus on shifting behaviors within influential social groups rather than broad public awareness campaigns. 

A new, easily adopted, 3D-printed device will enable scientists to create lab models of human tissue with even greater control and complexity. The tiny device allows more precision in the composition and special arrangement of tissues in order to study multiple tissue types together.  This capabilty would assist in modeling complex diseases, such as neuromuscular disorders, heart damage, and gum inflammation.

Researchers from the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the University of Iowa united insights from cellular biology, quantum computing, old-fashioned semiconductors and high-definition TVs to both create a revolutionary new quantum biosensor. In doing so, they shed light on a longstanding mystery in quantum materials.