colorful parrot-like bird riding a tiny bicycle on a tightrope
Reptiles are the Real Bird Brains
A research group argues that a species’ number of neurons, rather than brain volume, should serve as indicator of cognitive capacity when studying brain evolution, but some experts voice doubts.
ABOVE: © ISTOCK.COM, BORYAK
Reptiles are the Real Bird Brains
Reptiles are the Real Bird Brains

A research group argues that a species’ number of neurons, rather than brain volume, should serve as indicator of cognitive capacity when studying brain evolution, but some experts voice doubts.

A research group argues that a species’ number of neurons, rather than brain volume, should serve as indicator of cognitive capacity when studying brain evolution, but some experts voice doubts.

ABOVE: © ISTOCK.COM, BORYAK
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Histological stain of motor neurons in purple and green
Researchers Use Ultrasound to Control Neurons in Mice
Natalia Mesa | Feb 9, 2022
A study shows “sonogenetics” could be a useful new tool in neuroscience and other fields.
illustration of a large purple molecular complex with a strand of orange RNA running through it and red strand emerging from it
Study Reveals Outsize Role of mRNA Region in Tuning Expression
Sophie Fessl | Jan 27, 2022
A new method helps researchers uncover the rules of ribosome recruitment in yeast.
The Best of Cell Biology
Bob Grant | Dec 20, 2019
A new eBook compiles recent articles from The Scientist that capture the essence of new conceptual and technological territory being explored on the cellular level.
corals in water with fish
First Immortal Cell Line Cultured for Reef-Building Corals
Amanda Heidt | Jul 1, 2021
Lab-grown cells from the reef-building coral Acropora tenuis provide new opportunities to study bleaching, symbioses, and biomineralization.
Infographic: How Scientists Are Creating Coral Cell Lines
Amanda Heidt | Jul 1, 2021
Stable, long-term cell lines will enable scientists to study everything from coral bleaching to biomineralization, knowledge that may help protect corals from ongoing climate change.
a person in a white lab coat with a blue glove inserting a clear pcr tube into a which thermocycler while holding an orange box
Coronavirus Mutations Could Muddle COVID-19 PCR Tests
Jack J. Lee | May 17, 2021
Researchers find that SARS-CoV-2 variants can evade primer-probe sets and recommend that diagnostic assays include multiple targets for reliability.
liquid-containing tube labeled Laboratory Test Wastewater Sample SARS-CoV-2
Sewage Sampling Robots Speed SARS-CoV-2 Detection
Ruth Williams | May 1, 2021
An automated wastewater monitoring technique could enable researchers to predict outbreaks of the virus up to a week in advance.
Infographic: How to Ferret Out SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage
Ruth Williams | May 1, 2021
Researchers use magnetic nanoparticles and liquid-handling robots in an effort to detect COVID-19 outbreaks early.
a mockup of an at-home COVID-19 test in development
Top Technical Advances of 2020
Shawna Williams | Dec 18, 2020
The pandemic spurred innovation in a variety of ways, from CRISPR-based diagnostics to cell biology benchwork at home.
red blood cell rbc ipsc induced pluripotent stem cell blood tranfsuion bioreactor
New Protocol Advances Toward Lab-Made Universal Red Blood Cells
Diana Kwon | Dec 17, 2020
Researchers report a new way of generating the cells from induced pluripotent stem cells in hopes they will one day be used in blood transfusions.
CRISPR, Cas-9, Nobel, Chemistry
CRISPR’s Adaptation to Genome Editing Earns Chemistry Nobel
Amanda Heidt | Oct 7, 2020
Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna reprogrammed the bacterial immune response into one of the most popular tools for genetics and molecular biology.
laser imaging, methods, Duke Health, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, coronavirus, masks, safety, health, aerosols, droplets, saliva
Simple Tool Evaluates Mask Performance at Blocking Droplets
Amanda Heidt | Aug 12, 2020
A proof-of-concept study finds some commonly used facial coverings may perform worse than no mask at all.
Bacterial Superglue Enables Antiviral Antibody Discovery
Ruth Williams | Jul 13, 2020
Testing out combinations of antiviral proteins from llamas could help researchers create potent virus-neutralizing multimers.
CRISPR, TALENs, ZFNs, gene editing, base editing, mitochondria, DNA, mtDNA
New Gene Editing Tool Corrects Mutations in Mitochondrial DNA
Amanda Heidt | Jul 9, 2020
An enzyme pulled from toxic bacteria can enter the organelle and perform single-nucleotide DNA swaps.
Infographic: Vaccines on Film
Ruth Williams | Jun 1, 2020
How an experimental preparation technique could make vaccines easier to transport, store, and administer
Vaccines Without Vials, Fridges, or Needles
Ruth Williams | Jun 1, 2020
A novel preparation technique could facilitate vaccine preservation, transportation, and administration.
top 10 innovations the scientist magazine
Enter Our Annual Top 10 Innovations Contest
The Scientist Staff | Apr 28, 2020
Submit your new product now to have a chance at being selected for a coveted spot in The Scientist’s 2020 competition.
False Negatives in Quick COVID-19 Test Near 15 Percent: Study
Lisa Winter | Apr 21, 2020
Abbott’s ID NOW test missed the most positive samples among five products given the green light by the FDA to use during the pandemic.
Infographic: A Gene Editor for Plant Mitochondrial DNA
Ruth Williams | Mar 1, 2020
New TALEN-based tools enable the organelle’s genome to be targeted and modified.