Spermatogenesis pauses only at the penultimate stage, the spermatid. The pause ends when an external signal activates the spermatid into a spermatozoon. Activation involves two pathways: (i) the try-5 pathway, named because the trypsin-like protein TR . . .

During the aquatic nymphal stage, dragonflies possess a modified labium that functions as a high-speed raptorial appendage used in prey capture. During labial protraction, a preparatory phase of slow protraction is followed by the release of a latched . . .

Across species, males and females have been shown to have marked differences in their immune responses and resistance to various microbial infections. Sex-based differences, such as the X and Y chromosomes and sex hormones are, in part, believed to be . . .

Ice is defined as a food and is frequently used in direct contact with food and beverages. Packaged ice is commercially produced and can be easily found in grocery and convenience stores. However, the quality and safety of packaged ice products is not . . .

Many biological processes are driven by endogenous 24-hour cycles known as circadian rhythms. Recent studies implicate dopamine signaling as a key mediator of entraining circadian activity cycles to feeding. To measure the influence of food on circadi . . .

Human adipogenesis is the process through which uncommitted human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) differentiate into adipocytes (fat cells). Understanding the molecular and cellular regulation of human adipogenesis may provide a way to prevent and/or t . . .

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium that causes the foodborne illness listeriosis, which is estimated to infect 23,000 and kill 5,000 globally each year. L. monocytogenes is a particularly problematic pathogen due to both the lethality of . . .

The fungus Aspergillus can cause a serious pulmonary infection (aspergillosis) in immunocompromised patients, with 80% mortality if untreated. Aspergillosis also affects the poultry industry as chickens and turkeys are highly susceptible, leading to m . . .

Rocky intertidal habitats in urbanized settings, such as in southern California, are heavily perturbed by human visitors through the deleterious activities of trampling, handling, and collecting. To protect rocky intertidal biota, certain locations ha . . .

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter highly associated with reward. The Dopamine Transporter (DAT, Slc6a3) is a transmembrane protein responsible for reuptake of dopamine at the synaptic cleft. This transporter is vital for the termination of dopamine signa . . .