Patrick Ferree and colleagues publish a review on selfish chromosomes
Abstract from article: B chromosomes are enigmatic heritable elements found in the genomes of numerous plant and animal species. Contrary to their broad distribution, most B chromosomes are non-essential. For this reason, they are regarded as genome parasites. In order to be stably transmitted through generations, many B chromosomes exhibit the ability to “drive”, i.e., […]
Clio Korn, Scripps ’10, coauthors a paper in Nature Communications
The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) plays a key role in the control of motor function, motivation, food intake, and reward. Malfunctions in the dopaminergic system cause severe symptoms and debilitating diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease). The dopaminergic system is one of the most extensively studied neurotransmitter systems, nevertheless, it is still far from being fully understood. One […]
Students publish a video method to make and pattern flexible silicone filaments
Students Katie Snell, Isabelle Lopez, Brandon Louis, alumna Roxanna Kiessling and professor Babak Sanii publish a video method to produce and pattern flexible silicone filaments. Link goes to video. https://www.jove.com/video/58826/drawing-hydrophobicity-patterning-long-polydimethylsiloxane-silicone
Victoria Davis, Scripps ’15, publishes article in Science
Room-temperature cycling of metal fluoride electrodes: Liquid electrolytes for high-energy fluoride ion cells Article Description: Owing to the low atomic weight of fluorine, rechargeable fluoride-based batteries could offer very high energy density. However, current batteries need to operate at high temperatures that are required for the molten salt electrolytes. Davis et al. push toward batteries […]
Fueling defense: effects of resources on the ecology and evolution of tolerance to parasite infection
Resource availability is a key environmental constraint affecting the ecology and evolution of species. Resources have strong effects on disease resistance, but they can also affect the other main parasite defense strategy, tolerance. A new review by Sarah Budischak and Clay Cressler explores the effects of resources on tolerance in animals by synthesizing previous studies […]
Size-dependent variability in the formation and trade-offs of facultative aggregations in golden orb-web spiders
Animals within a population can show variability in a range of behaviors, such as foraging and predator avoidance, and at times, the ideal way of behaving depends on individual or environmental conditions. E. Ferree and her students have asked why some female golden orb-web spiders (Nephila clavipes) form groups, while in the same population, others […]