EurekAlert! News by Subject: Biology - News by Subject: Biology

Biology

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 2-Aug-2025 06:11 ET (2-Aug-2025 10:11 GMT/UTC)

1-Aug-2025

Physicists decode mysterious membrane behavior

Erratic cell membranes have puzzled scientists for decades. But when physicist Rana Ashkar’s team looked at membrane behavior on the nanoscale, they were able to identify the elusive biophysical laws that membranes have been following to all along.

Journal: Nature Communications

1-Aug-2025

‘Shore Wars:’ New research aims to resolve coastal conflict between oysters and mangroves, aiding restoration efforts

University of Central Florida
Peer-Reviewed Publication

To protect Florida’s coastlines, the researchers hope their new findings can initiate efforts to strike a balance within coastal ecosystems so both oysters and mangroves can flourish without harming each other. Otherwise, the mangroves could eventually dominate oyster reefs.

Journal: Marine Ecology Progress Series
Funder: Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, U.S. National Science Foundation, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society Grants-in-Aid of Research, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program

1-Aug-2025

Pups in tow, Yellowstone-area wolves trek long distances to stay near prey

University of California - Berkeley
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In a new study, a UC Berkeley-led team of biologists observed gray wolves near Yellowstone National Park traveling 20 kilometers or more over rugged, mountainous terrain, with very young pups in tow. It is the first time gray wolves outside of the Arctic have been observed migrating, or shifting their territorial range, to be closer to prey during pup-rearing season.

Journal: Current Biology
Funder: National Geographic Society, Knobloch Family Foundation, George B. Storer Foundation, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

1-Aug-2025

Smartphone engagement during school hours among US youths

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: This cross-sectional study found that when adolescents had their phones at school, they spent nearly an hour per school day on smartphones, with most of this time on social media. The results extend prior work indicating that smartphone use during instructional hours, especially social-specific use, is not trivial. These results also highlight developmental differences, with younger adolescents using smartphones and social media less than older adolescents.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

1-Aug-2025

Researchers harness AI-powered protein design to enhance T-cell based immunotherapies

Boston Children's Hospital
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new paper published today in Cell highlights how researchers have leveraged AI-based computational protein design to create a novel synthetic ligand that activates the Notch signaling pathway, a key driver in T-cell development and function. These so-called soluble Notch agonists can be broadly applied to optimize clinical T-cell production and advance immunotherapy development.

Journal: Cell

1-Aug-2025

Young human blood serum factors show potential to rejuvenate skin through bone marrow

Impact Journals LLC
Peer-Reviewed Publication

BUFFALO, NY — August 1, 2025 — A new research paper featured on the cover of Volume 17, Issue 7 of Aging (Aging-US) was published on July 25, 2025, titled “Systemic factors in young human serum influence in vitro responses of human skin and bone marrow-derived blood cells in a microphysiological co-culture system.”

Journal: Aging-US

1-Aug-2025

Study identifies global upswing in photosynthesis driven by land, offset by oceans

Duke University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Terrestrial plants drove an increase in global photosynthesis between 2003 and 2021, a trend partially offset by a weak photosynthetic decline among marine algae, according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change on Aug. 1. The findings could inform planetary health assessments, enhance ecosystem management, and guide climate change projections and mitigation strategies.

Journal: Nature Climate Change