Biochemical and genetic tests have revealed that a liver protein called NTCP is a functional receptor for hepatitis B and D viruses, which should lead to an improved understanding of the infections caused by these viruses and assist the development of new intervention strategies.

Exposing rats to acute stress increased the generation of new neurons in a subregion of the hippocampus, and improved the animals' performance in a memory task two weeks later.

A small RNA molecule called miR-124 controls pheromone production and sexual behaviour in Drosophila by regulating sex-specific gene expression in males.

Longevity in C. elegans is influenced not only by insulin/IGF-1 signalling, but also by CAMKII and calcineurin, acting on the same target, the transcription factor DAF-16.

Science is an essential component of policy-making in most areas of government, but the scientific community does not always understand its role in this process.

Physical contact between two Myxococcus xanthus cells is sufficient to fuse their outer membrane transiently and exchange outer membrane proteins and lipids at high efficiency.

Genomics researchers have built a Facebook game that allows members of the public to join the effort to understand a disease that has killed millions of ash trees across Europe.

The use of metaphorical concepts is not unique to humans.

Two cooperative populations of yeast cells that cannot distinguish between cooperative partners and cheating intruders can still self-organize into clusters that exclude cheaters.

The tapered, conical shape of rodent whiskers is essential for sensor mobility in constrained spaces and feature extraction from textured surfaces.