New Research Shows Why You Don’t Need To Be Perfect To Get the Job Done
Researchers have found that animals often employ “good enough” strategies for tasks like foraging, which are less optimal but still effective, challenging traditional views of…
Howard Hughes Medical Institute News
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a leading private, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting scientific research and education in the United States. Established in 1953 by the aviator and industrialist Howard Hughes, its headquarters are located in Chevy Chase, Maryland. HHMI is one of the wealthiest biomedical research organizations in the world and is known for its long-term funding model, which supports the work of hundreds of scientists, known as HHMI investigators. These investigators are given the freedom to explore and push the boundaries of their research without the constant pressure of grant renewal. The institute also supports a variety of educational initiatives and scientific research facilities across the country, including the Janelia Research Campus in Virginia, which focuses on basic research and tool development in biomedical sciences. HHMI’s mission is to advance the understanding of basic biological processes and to foster science education, reflecting a commitment to improving human health and increasing scientific literacy.
Revolutionary Aging Atlas Could Help Scientists Understand Cellular Longevity
A new aging atlas reveals cellular and tissue aging in roundworms, aiding anti-aging research with insights into gene expression, tissue-specific aging clocks, and polyadenylation, and…
Like Humans – Scientists Discover That Rats Have an Imagination
As human beings, our lives are intertwined with our thoughts, whether we’re contemplating dinner options or indulging in memories of our recent beach getaway. Interestingly,…
New Theory Challenges Classical View on Brain’s Memory Storage
According to a new theory presented by researchers at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus and their colleagues at University College London, how useful a memory is…
A “Genetic Parasite” – The Secret Protector of Fertility
The genetic makeup of many species, including humans, contains crucial components known as ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences. Due to their highly repetitive pattern, these DNA…
New Research: Taking Care of Your Teeth Could Help Prevent Chronic Joint Pain
A researcher at Rice University discovers a critical piece of information in discarded data that redirects their research in the right direction. Regular dental check-ups…
Harvard Scientists Uncover How the Brain Senses Infection
The researchers made a breakthrough discovery of specific airway neurons in mice that alert the brain about the flu virus. A recent study in mice…
Researchers Have Uncovered New Functions of the “Ancient Brain”
A multiregional hindbrain circuit enables animals to regain their pathing after deviating from it. A zebrafish heads toward its target, but strong currents push it…
Fountain of Youth: Cutting Calories and Eating at the Right Time of Day Leads to a Longer Life
Many of us wish for a fountain of youth, filled with magical water that could restore our youth and vitality. It is so simple and…
Structure of “Gliding Bird” Plant Defense Protein Could Lead to Better Crops
Biologist Xinnian Dong says her “best Christmas gift ever” arrived in the form of a phone call. The call was from her longtime friend and…
After More Than 20 Years, Scientists Have Finally Solved the Full-Length Structure of a Janus Kinase
The breakthrough came on molecular biologist Christopher Garcia’s birthday. For more than 20 years, his team and others around the world had been chasing an…
Bizarre Bacterial Superpower: How Some Gut Microbes Awaken Zombie Viruses in Their Neighbors
Gut bacteria brew all sorts of chemicals, but we don’t know what most of them do. A new study suggests that one such compound, previously…
Nasal Spray Coronavirus Vaccine Booster Keeps COVID-19 at Bay
In mice, a vaccination strategy that uses an mRNA coronavirus vaccine injection followed by a nasal spray booster generates immune protection in the airways. A…
Lemon Frost Leopard Gecko Skin Tumors Traced to Cancer Gene
The leopard gecko’s name was Mr. Frosty, and he was hard to miss. Yellow bands striped his back, and uncommonly white skin peeked out from…
A Molecule That Shouldn’t Exist – “The Biggest Scientific Shock of My Life”
Some RNA Molecules Have Unexpected Sugar Coating Sugars attach to certain RNA molecules on the outside membrane of the cell. The newly discovered “glycoRNAs” may…
First Major Discoveries Reported From Project to Read Complete Genetic Sequences of All 70,000 Vertebrate Species
A bold project to read the complete genetic sequences of every known vertebrate species reaches its first milestone by publishing new methods and the first…
Discovery of How Teeth Sense Cold Explains Age-Old Home Remedy for Toothaches
For people with tooth decay, drinking a cold beverage can be agony. “It’s a unique kind of pain,” says David Clapham, vice president and chief scientific…
COVID-19 Virus Needs Cholesterol to Invade Cells – What This Means for People Taking Statins
People taking cholesterol-lowering drugs may fare better than others if they catch the novel coronavirus. A new study hints at why: the virus relies on…