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Biology

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 24-Oct-2026 19:16 ET (24-Oct-2026 23:16 GMT/UTC)

American black bears sleep twice as much during hibernation periods as during summer months, spending just 1/3 of this time awake, per machine-learning analysis of data from captive bears recorded over a period of 5 years

PLOS
Peer-Reviewed Publication

American black bears sleep twice as much during hibernation periods as during summer months, spending just 1/3 of this time awake, per machine-learning analysis of data from captive bears recorded over a period of 5 years

Journal: PLOS One

Two origins of life

Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf
Peer-Reviewed Publication

How and where did the first forms of life arise? These are the main questions driving research at the Institute of Molecular Evolution at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU). In a new publication in Science Advances, an international team led by Düsseldorf biologists uncovers pioneering insights into the network of chemical reactions that the very first cells used to make the building blocks of life and which sources of energy they used to drive those reactions. They retraced the origin of enzymes during life’s earliest divergence into bacteria and archaea, and found evidence for two independent origins of life for free-living cells.

Journal: Science Advances

One of the world's only two complete dodo skulls reveals new clues about the extinct bird

University of Copenhagen
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Housed at the Natural History Museum Denmark, one of only two known complete dodo skulls has helped researchers uncover new clues about how the iconic extinct bird sensed and interacted with its environment.

Journal: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society

Cancer Dependency Map now includes next-generation 3D cancer models

Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Peer-Reviewed Publication

DepMap scientists have generated dependency data on nearly 150 three-dimensional cancer cell models across 10 cancer types.

The updated catalog reveals cancer phenotypes, cell states, and gene dependencies that are missed in traditional cell lines and shows that both model types are complementary because each captures biology that the other misses.

The integration of data on 2D and 3D models creates a more comprehensive DepMap, moving the resource towards its goal of capturing the complete landscape of cancer vulnerabilities.

Journal: Nature
Funder: Robertson Foundation, 3000 Miles to the Cure Foundation

Compendium of patient-derived models offers new opportunities for cancer research, precision oncology

Van Andel Research Institute
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An international team of scientists has developed the most comprehensive compendium to date of cell line and organoid cancer models paired with their original human tumors. The new resource gives researchers powerful tools to better understand tumor biology, predict treatment response and accelerate development of personalized cancer therapies.

Journal: Nature

Pumas make roads safer for drivers

Cell Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Living amongst large predatory carnivores could actually make you safer. A study publishing in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on August 5 found that pumas—wild cats also known as mountain lions, cougars, or panthers—change deer behavior, leading to fewer collisions with cars on roadways. In areas where puma occupancy is high, the authors report a significant reduction in the total expected number of collisions over a 5-year period.

Journal: Current Biology
Funder: Administration for Native Americans, USFWS Tribal Wildlife Grant program, Ayers Wild Cat Conservation Trust, Fat Cat Feline Fund

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Northwell Health lead international cohort of researchers to develop more than 150 next-generation cancer treatment models

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Peer-Reviewed Publication

As part of the Human Cancer Model Initiative, scientists and physicians at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and Northwell Health contributed more than 150 organoid models to the “Compendium of Next-Generation Patient-Derived Models for Diverse Cancers.” According to CSHL Cancer Center Director David Tuveson, “These organoids more closely reflect the biology of a patient’s tumor, providing researchers with powerful tools to accelerate discovery and develop more personalized treatment strategies.”

Journal: Nature
Funder: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Thompson Foundation, Pershing Square Foundation, Northwell Health, U.S. Department of Defense, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, American Cancer Society, Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK, Simons Foundation

Psychotherapy for Impact of Killing During War

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About the Study: Individuals in both treatments improved on measures of psychosocial functioning (WHOQOL-BREF and SDS). Those who received IOK evidenced greater improvements in work or school, social life, and home or family life (as measured by the SDS) compared to those in PCT at posttreatment. IOK participants also reported improved PTSD and MI symptoms. The findings suggest that IOK may improve several outcomes for those who experience distress due to killing in war.

Journal: JAMA Psychiatry

Human cancer models to accelerate research and precision therapies

NIH/Office of the Director
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research project funded by NIH has generated one of the most extensive and diverse collections of patient-derived tumor models. Tumor tissue from hundreds of cancer patients contributed to the compendium of tumor models that will enhance the study of tumor biology and be an asset in accelerating the development of cancer therapies while guiding future research directions.

Journal: Nature