Biology news covering genetics, evolution, microbiology, ecosystems, species discoveries, and advances in biological science research.
Scientists at Stanford University discovered Drt3b, a protein that builds DNA without a template, using its own structure as a guide. Published in Science, it's the first known protein to produce long, sequence-specific DNA this way, overturning the belief that all DNA synthesis requires existing genetic material.
A PLOS One study shows cows can match human faces to voices, spending more time staring at unfamiliar faces. When familiar voices were paired with matching videos, cows focused longer, indicating cross-modal recognition.
This commentary argues that a recent study showing metabolic-like activity in sterile soil suggests that certain biochemical reactions may not be unique to life, potentially predating it. The author contends that this finding challenges the boundary between biology and geology, implying that the chemistry of life may be a fundamental property of matter.
A new study reveals fog droplets contain millions of live bacteria per thimble, with some species like methylobacteria consuming formaldehyde. The findings, based on sampling 32 fog events in Pennsylvania, suggest fog plays an active role in atmospheric chemistry.