Biology

Many cells in an acorn worm reprogram into different cell types instead of dying or staying the same, the first evidence of this process in bilaterally symmetrical animals.

The global population could approach 10 billion by 2050. How do we feed that many people in an equitable, sustainable, and nutritious way? Stanford bioengineer Vayu Hill-Maini is turning to “nature’s recyclers” for answers.

A study in Mexico finds that water pollution can threaten biodiversity through hybridization, causing distinct species to collapse into one.

A Stanford study found that mountain lion visits to Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve triggered cascading effects on deer, smaller predators, and vegetation.

The discovery that hormonal triggers cause “ruptoblast” cells in flatworms to detonate and destroy surrounding cells within minutes could inspire new ideas in medical science.

Biologists have identified molecular anchors that secure plant cell membranes to their walls during water loss, providing insights for developing drought-resistant crops.

A Stanford field course takes students into Bay Area forests for an up-close look at the lives of local birds.

Stanford research finds that brief electrical pulses trigger a molecular “reboot and rebound” in sea squirts, pointing toward new strategies to mitigate age-related decline.

Manu Prakash and French collaborator Marcel Babin are being honored for their research on microbial life trapped in sea ice, enhancing our understanding of modern polar ecosystems.

A Stanford study finds that more than three quarters of plant species diversified primarily by thriving in their original environments, challenging previous assumptions on the role of migration.