Mountain lions have major ecological impact in small preserve
Research
A Stanford study found that mountain lion visits to Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve triggered cascading effects on deer, smaller predators, and vegetation.
Flatworms reveal explosive new type of immune cell
Research
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.
Research reveals mechanisms for plant cell resilience to stress
News
Biologists have identified molecular anchors that secure plant cell membranes to their walls during water loss, providing insights for developing drought-resistant crops.
Ornithology class brings students face to face with ‘neodinosaurs’
Feature
A Stanford field course takes students into Bay Area forests for an up-close look at the lives of local birds.
Electrical pulses extend sea squirt lifespans, offering clues on aging
Research
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.
Stanford bioengineer recognized for microscopic life research
News
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.
Plant diversity is mostly homegrown, new research reveals
Research
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.
Stanford science reveals genetically distinct ‘ghost elephants’
News
Using DNA extracted from dung, researchers discovered that high-altitude elephants in Angola have a unique genetic lineage linked to Namibian elephants, highlighted in a new documentary by Werner Herzog.
‘AI is changing the way we do biology’
Profile
Bioengineer Emma Lundberg is leveraging AI to map the human proteome in space and time, while reframing the way scientists think about genetic disease.
Study of life under an oak tree reveals key lessons for ecosystems
Research
Research on interactions among insect larvae, fungi, and nematodes under an oak tree uncovers insights into how species compete for resources and the factors that influence their survival.