Last week on the Biology forum, discussions centered around the challenges of keeping lab testing on schedule and the intriguing nocturnal behaviors of urban foxes. Participants exchanged insights on the complexities of genetic profiling, specifically the current number of STRs in CODIS. There was also a lively conversation about the mechanisms behind axolotls’ regenerative abilities compared to human scarring. The community explored the use of bulk RNA-seq sets, emphasizing the importance of batch information for accurate analysis. Additionally, there was a shared frustration over aphids disrupting experimental protocols.
This Week’s Hot Topics
Keeping lab testing on schedule
Forum members are sharing strategies and tips for managing the often unpredictable timelines in lab testing. It’s a practical discussion, especially for those juggling multiple projects. Read more here
How many STRs are in CODIS today
A deep dive into the evolving landscape of genetic databases, with a focus on the number of Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) in CODIS. This affects both research and forensic applications. Read more here
Urban foxes going nocturnal
Observations and hypotheses about why urban foxes might be shifting to nocturnal activity, with implications for urban wildlife management and conservation. Read more here
Need bulk RNA‑seq sets with batch info
Researchers are discussing where to find comprehensive RNA-seq datasets that include batch information, which is crucial for minimizing experimental bias. Read more here
Why axolotls regrow but we scar
A fascinating exploration into the biological mechanisms that allow axolotls to regenerate limbs, sparking discussions on potential biomedical applications. Read more here
When aphids ignore the protocol
A lighthearted yet informative thread about the challenges of working with aphids in research, and how they can sometimes thwart well-laid plans. Read more here
Looking forward to another week of engaging discussions. See you on the forum!
We’ve had more consistent axolotl limb regrowth by keeping water at 18–19°C and ammonia at zero; once tanks creep past about 22°C we see more fibrosis — think of it as a spa day for the blastema. Small caveat: strain and age matter, and ‘macrophages are required for adult salamander limb regeneration’ (doi:10.1073/pnas.1300290110).
And counterintuitively, our best regrowth came when the first 24–36 hours were a strict ‘quiet period’ — no handling, low light, and only a sponge filter’s gentle flow after the injury. I’m with @logmart on cooler water, but crank the air too hard and the clot shears; 12 h dark and a single amphibian Ringer’s rinse at about 6 h gave us cleaner blastemas and less fibrosis.
, I feel the scheduling pain — quick tip: we saw fewer scars when GH stayed around 6–8 dGH, so we dropped a cheap cuttlebone in the sump to buffer calcium/alkalinity and kept nitrates under about 20 ppm. On the “why they regrow” side, the macrophage piece tracks with this stability push — nice overview here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1300290110 — but if your source water’s already hard, don’t overdo the buffering. Anyone else notice regen dip after big water changes?