Summary: Researchers used AlphaFold3, the latest AI-based protein modeling system, to predict the structures of all 25 known human bitter taste receptors (T2Rs). Compared with AlphaFold2, AF3 consistently generated more…
Category: Life
How Neurons Pick Just One Scent Receptor
Summary: Researchers studying clonal raider ants have uncovered how each sensory neuron manages to express just one odorant receptor gene from a library of hundreds. Unlike fruit flies or mammals,…
Bats live with some viruses. But others can do them in
Sometimes even bats need a sick day. Bats are renowned for the ability to be infected with viruses that can be deadly to people without showing signs of the diseases…
Dogs Can Classify Objects by Function, Not Just Appearance
Summary: A new study demonstrates that some highly gifted dogs can categorize objects not just by appearance, but by how they are used. When taught words like “pull” or “fetch,”…
Understanding why people reject science could lead to solutions for rebuilding trust
Rejection of science is a huge problem, with many people refusing to get vaccines and denying the existence of climate change. Why are so many people anti-science? As experts on attitudes, persuasion…
Fetal Movements Boost Maternal Attachment
Summary: A new study shows that fetal movement frequency in late pregnancy is directly tied to stronger maternal-fetal attachment. Using an actocardiograph, researchers objectively measured movements and found that higher…
Tug or fetch? Some dogs sort toys by how they are used
Dogs that easily learn the names of toys might also mentally sort them by function, a new example of complex cognitive activity in the canine brain.
Gut Problems in Autism Linked to Sleep, Behavior, and Sensory Challenges
Summary: A long-term study tracking 475 children found that autistic children are far more likely to experience persistent gastrointestinal issues than their peers. These symptoms often co-occur, persist across childhood,…
