Genes & Cells | Science News for Students

Genes & Cells

Genes & Cells Subtopics
Cells
Genetics
Dickinsonia

Dickinsonia was one of the first animals on Earth. It lived on the ocean floor 550 million to 560 million years ago. It looked like a giant version of the modern-day Trichoplax, the simplest animal now alive.

John Sibbick

Animals
 
Apr 5, 2018
Living Mysteries: Meet Earth’s simplest animal
vape liquids
Liquids for electronic cigarettes come in a variety of flavors — with and without nicotine. A new study finds that vapors from even those without nicotine can still poison cells.
MakcouD/iStockphoto
Toxicology
 
Mar 30, 2018
E-cigarettes don’t need nicotine to be toxic
fern’s leech

Here’s a tropical “research assistant” belonging to the genus Haemadipsa.

© AMNH/M. Siddall
Genetics
 
Mar 13, 2018
Scientists recruit bloodsucking leeches as research assistants
DNA display

Scientists can extract DNA (parts of which are displayed on screen) from samples they picked up in the environment. They then look for patterns in this genetic material to identify which species had left it. In this way, biologists can “detect” what organisms had been around.

Wavebreakmedia/iStockphoto

Genetics
 
Mar 13, 2018
Explainer: DNA hunters
kiwi bird

This kiwi is among the native species in New Zealand preyed upon by invasive rodents. Scientists think a new twist on “gene drive” technology could control the pests and save the birds.

chameleonseye/iStockphoto.

Genetics
 
Mar 6, 2018
Can DNA editing save endangered species?
artificial eye
Real human cells from a cornea (dark blue) and conjunctiva (white) were used to make this artificial eye for testing treatments and probing diseases. The device “blinks” when a synthetic film slides over a channel containing artificial tears (black). Each blink spreads the liquid over the living cells.
DAN HUH LABORATORY/UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Technology
 
Mar 2, 2018
Human cells form the basis of this artificial eye
chocolate hearts
Chocolate is one of the most prized treats. But ensuring there will be enough of the raw ingredients to satisfy our hunger for it has candy-makers and farmers consulting scientists around the globe.

ma-no/iStockphoto

Plants
 
Feb 8, 2018
Increasingly, chocolate-makers turn to science
cacao tree
Chocolate is made from the pods (shown here) that grow from the trunk of the tropical cacao tree. To reproduce this tree rapidly, scientists clone it.
bedo/istockphoto
Agriculture
 
Feb 8, 2018
How to grow a cacao tree in a hurry
chocolate mousse pie

The editor of Science News for Students made this, her signature pie. After its picture was taken, the staff dove in to eat it.

Allie Wilkinson
Health
 
Feb 8, 2018
Janet's chocolate mousse pie
dentist

Researchers are moving well beyond the pick and drill to treat dental problems and “read” the history of our ancient ancestors' health from their not-so-pearly whites.

DragonImages/iStockphoto

Materials Science
 
Feb 1, 2018
Cool Jobs: Drilling into the secrets of teeth