Podocytes are specialized cells in the kidneys that do not renew with age. Researchers from Juntendo University used electron microscopy to show that podocytes in older rats are much larger and have significant structural differences from those in young rats. These findings highlight age-related structural changes and could increase the accuracy of staging the progression of glomerular disorders in kidneys.

A new CNIC-led study shows that a genetic tool derived from baker’s yeast enables human cells to manufacture the building blocks of DNA even when their mitochondria fail.

Triceratops and similar horned dinosaurs had unusually large nasal cavities compared to most animals. Researchers including those from the University of Tokyo used CT scans of fossilized Triceratops skulls and compared their structures with modern animals like birds and crocodiles. Through direct observation and inference, researchers reconstructed how nerves, blood vessels and structures for airflow fit together in the skulls. They concluded horned dinosaurs probably used their noses not just for smelling but also to help control temperature and moisture. 

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have shown that dung beetles suffer in canopy openings that have been deliberately created to promote biodiversity. Rising temperatures are significantly exacerbating the problem.

A 40-year study using field data from Projeto Lontra reveals that Neotropical otters act as "living sensors" of ecosystem degradation, with 66% testing positive for land-based pathogens like Toxoplasma gondii carried by runoff. This research, published in Estuarine Management and Technologies, led to the creation of the Otter Health Index (OHI), a low-cost toolkit designed for muncipalities and NGOs to better monitor estuarine health through simple metrics.

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants and managing its availability is critical for growing crops to maintain the global food supply. In an effort to move toward a more sustainable bioeconomy, researchers from the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and collaborators have developed a new method to recycle phosphorus from the biorefinery waste stream.

Species are disappearing at an alarming rate worldwide – accelerated by climate change, habitat loss and invasive species. Little-studied groups, including many marine worms, are particularly affected: species are threatened with extinction before they have even been scientifically described. Researchers from the University of Göttingen, the Leibniz Institute for Biodiversity Change Analysis (LIB) and the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research will build a comprehensive dataset on European “marine annelids” – segmented sea worms – and make it openly accessible for international research. This should advance the discovery of new species and the knowledge of biological diversity worldwide. The project “EuroWorm: Accelerating Global Marine Annelid Biodiversity Research with Open Genomic Data for European Species” is led by the LIB and funded by the Leibniz Association.

First large-scale experiment shows fire whirls burn oil spills faster and cleaner than fire pools, proving their game-changing potential for ocean cleanups.