Unexpected diversity of light-sensing proteins goes beyond vision in frogs

This Thursday marks the first day of summer in the Northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year. Living beings have evolved over many millennia to react to varying amounts of sunlight exposure, governing everything from sleep-wake cycles, seasonal changes and more, but the proteins responsible for responding to different light environments for non-visual purposes are an underexplored area of science. New research led by a York University Faculty of Science professor and former York researcher found that frogs have maintained a shocking number, and diversity, of these light-sensing proteins, called opsins, over evolutionary time.

What you need to know about the whooping cough in Ontario

The life aquatic: a game changer for frog vision, but little difference between night and day, York-led study finds

Frogs display a remarkable diversity of species as a whole, but does the same hold true for their visual abilities? A new study led by York’s Faculty of Science sought to answer this question by collaborating with researchers in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, French Guiana, Gabon, Seychelles, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States, to get a sample of a diverse array of frogs to study the visual pigments found in their eyes.

Would stopping Daylight Saving Time help your natural body clock?

York University biological rhythms expert available to explain how internal clock works TORONTO, October 30, 2019 – When Canadians turn back their clocks one hour at 2 a.m. this Sunday, November 3, many will experience a shock to their bodies’ internal clock much like the jet lag experienced after flying across time zones, according to […]

Is enough being done to prevent Ontario’s birds from window collision deaths?

York University bird expert is available for comment TORONTO, October 7, 2019 – The catastrophically high number of birds killed every year when they smash into glass windows is one of the main reasons why Canada and the United States have lost almost 3 billion birds since 1970, according to York University Professor Bridget Stutchbury. […]

Is enough being done to prevent Ontario’s birds from window collision deaths?

York University bird expert is available for comment TORONTO, October 7, 2019 – The catastrophically high number of birds killed every year when they smash into glass windows is one of the main reasons why Canada and the United States have lost almost 3 billion birds since 1970, according to York University Professor Bridget Stutchbury. […]

Scientists set to start $10M project to create health diagnosis tool for bees

York University to develop ‘BeeCSI’ tool to help Canada’s rapidly declining honey bees TORONTO, September 18, 2019 – When Canada’s honey bees are thriving, they produce honey and pollinate valuable crops like blueberries, apples and hybrid canola seeds. But the health of honey bees is declining, with more than a quarter of honey bee colonies […]

Scientists set to start $10M project to create health diagnosis tool for bees

York University to develop ‘BeeCSI’ tool to help Canada’s rapidly declining honey bees TORONTO, September 18, 2019 – When Canada’s honey bees are thriving, they produce honey and pollinate valuable crops like blueberries, apples and hybrid canola seeds. But the health of honey bees is declining, with more than a quarter of honey bee colonies […]

Scientists discover novel genes responsible for regulating muscle cells

York University research could lead to new muscle cancer therapy TORONTO, May 22, 2019 – York University scientists have uncovered a unique set of genes that play a role in muscle cellular gene expression and differentiation which could lead to new therapeutic targets to prevent the spread of muscle cancer. The researchers analyzed gene networks […]

Wood ash recycling program could help save Muskoka’s forests and lakes

Restoring calcium levels may spark forest growth across cottage country  TORONTO, March 28, 2019 – Implementing a new residential wood ash program to restore calcium levels in Muskoka’s forest soils and lakes could help replenish the area’s dwindling supply of crayfish and maple sap, according to new research co-led by York University. Calcium levels in […]