Scientists from Auburn University and international collaborators have uncovered the strongest protein-protein bond ever recorded in nature. Their discovery explains why Staphylococcus aureus, a leading cause of skin infections, clings so stubbornly to human skin — and points to new ways of fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Research led by University of Utah and Stanford analyzed thallium isotopes to show oxygen was slow to reach Earth’s ocean depths during the Paleozoic. O2 levels rose and fell at the ocean floor long after marine animals appeared and diversified half billion years ago, according to study of ancient marine sediments exposed by river cuts in Canada's Yukon.

Small fold – big role: A tissue fold known as the cephalic furrow, an evolutionary novelty that forms between the head and the trunk of fly embryos, plays a mechanical role in stabilizing embryonic tissues during the development of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.

Combining theory and experiment: Researchers integrated computer simulations with their experiments and showed that the timing and position of cephalic furrow formation are crucial for its function, preventing mechanical instabilities in the embryonic tissues.

Evolutionary response to mechanical stress: The increased mechanical instability caused by embryonic tissue movements may have contributed to the origin and evolution of the cephalic furrow genetic program. This shows that mechanical forces can shape the evolution of new developmental features.