The interaction between volcanic eruptions and coral reefs are commonly reported to be detrimental to corals. However, recent laboratory experiments on cultured corals exposed to moderate concentrations of volcanic ash, reveal quite the opposite: ash-exposed corals exhibit surprising health improvements compared to the control counterparts.

The accelerated expansion of the Universe might be due to modifications in the laws of gravity on very large scales. We showed that standard tests of gravity based on the observed motions of galaxies are insufficient and must be extended by including measurements of another effect: the distortion of time.

Our quest is to control how molecules come together to form large assemblies. In our earlier studies we showed that we can stack saddle-shaped molecular chips into neat columns that then stick together laterally to form 2D sheets, but can we limit this process to form different morphologies? Here we show how blocking the sides of the columns equalizes the secondary interaction, yielding 1D fibers.

Natural selection is often thought to “perfect” an organism. Yet, real organisms show lots of diversity in their behaviours and morphology. We show that competition for resources can either maintain trait diversity at a constant high level, or lead to wild cycles in trait evolution. Continuous differences in resources like those found in nature are an important part of these outcomes.

DNA mutations causing cancer occur in cells through aging, environmental exposures, and cellular factors. By analysing thousands of cancer genomes, we found that tobacco smoking, APOBEC enzymes, and oxidative stress often introduce harmful “stop-gain” mutations that disable genes. This study highlights how some lifestyle choices and cellular processes can modify genes that protect us from cancer.

Our recent study reveals that in fruit fly embryos, the cell's cytoplasm can divide on its own, without waiting for the nucleus or relying on the usual cell division signals. This discovery challenges what we thought we knew about how cells divide and opens up new questions about how these processes are controlled.