Were modern humans the first hominids capable of complex spoken language? If so, how did this unique capability evolve? New research by Robert B. Darnell and Erich D. Jarvis helps answer both of those questions, and could further our understanding of language and developmental disorders. Darnell, who specializes in studying how RNA-binding proteins regulate gene... View Article The post Finding our human voice appeared first on Seek.| Seek
Little bluestem, sea oats, butterfly weed, coneflowers, asters—Rockefeller’s lush campus is dotted with a host of colorful perennials. But these plants aren’t just beautiful; each one was carefully chosen by our landscaping team because it’s hearty enough to thrive in the campus’s fluctuating East River microclimate, where saline air and brisk winds can be tough... View Article The post A polinator’s oasis appeared first on Seek.| Seek
Bacteria have evolved powerful defenses against the viruses that prey on them. The most famous such defense, CRISPR-Cas9—a kind of molecular scissor that can snip away at viral DNA—was adapted to create the first FDA-approved genetic editing tool. But Luciano Marraffini, who helped identify CRISPR’s potential for genetic engineering, keeps finding more. Most recently, Marraffini... View Article The post There’s more to CRISPR than we knew appeared first on Seek.| Seek