Four plesiosaur teeth found in central Poland
Four plesiosaur teeth from about 148 million years ago have been discovered by scientists from the Jagiellonian University and the Polish Academy of Sciences in the Owadów-Brzezinki quarry (near Sławno, Łódź province). According to the researchers, these are the first fossils of the aquatic reptiles from this palaeontological site.
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When infected bacteria commit suicide: Researchers investigate unusual proteins
There are proteins that produce DNA on their own and are used by bacteria to commit suicide. The morphology and functioning of such structures have been described by scientists from the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology.
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University of Silesia researcher investigates ‘fat’ aphids of Svalbard
Two endemic species of aphids have been discovered in Svalbard. Some of them have a lot of body fat, which could indicate that the body is protected against low temperatures. A scientist from the University of Silesia investigates whether this is really the case and whether it is a repeatable trait.
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Researchers describe proteins that help mitochondria communicate
Mitofusin 2 is a protein that is needed for the work of mitochondria in cells. In a paper published in Science, an international team with the participation of a Polish researcher describes newly identified variants of this protein that mediate between the mitochondrion and other parts of the cell. The study sheds light on certain liver disorders.
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Pollinators spread diseases from infected flowers
Pollinators that visit infected flowers contribute to spreading pathogens. This phenomenon has been investigated by scientists from the Institute of Nature Conservation of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
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Long-range interactions during genome folding
An international team of researchers with the participation of Polish scientist has discovered a new mechanism of genome folding in fruit flies. The elements of the genome pair up despite considerable distances, forming meta-loops. The genes associated with them are responsible for important neuronal development processes.
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Dr. Stanisław Czachorowski: Mow grass, but not too often
Mow less often - this is the simplest answer to the question whether urban lawns should be mowed or not. Subjective aesthetic reasons speak for mowing, everything else for not mowing, says Dr. Stanisław Czachorowski from the University of Warmia and Mazury.
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Scientists call for decolonisation of world botanical collections
A disproportionately large number of plant specimens from around the world are found in European countries and in the USA. There are 65 million specimens in the 10 largest herbaria. The legacy of colonialism shapes the management of plant collections and this should change, says Professor Wiesław Mułenko from the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University.
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Researcher from Poznań investigates factors that change human pelvis structure
The pelvis in women and men is a more plastic part of the skeleton than previously thought: it can change under the influence of certain factors, according to research by Dr. Anna Maria Kubicka from the Poznań University of Life Sciences. She has also determined that subsequent pregnancies do not leave permanent changes in the pelvic morphology in women. She presented the results of her research in Scientific Reports.
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How to predict road mortality of amphibians and better protect them
Is it possible to predict potential hotspots of amphibian roadkill? How to use the available data on their amphibians dying under the wheels of cars? What affects the risk of becoming a roadkill? Scientists from Czechia, Spain and Poland investigated the topic and published their results in the Journal of Environmental Management.
