Advanced animal society thrives without males

Termite colonies have been found to thrive and reproduce without males, new research from the University of Sydney reveals. The findings provide new evidence that males aren’t required to maintain some advanced animal populations. They add momentum to questions about the impact and function of males in animal societies.

Cancer: Establishing metastasis

Scientists have discovered that a protein called VRK1 might help cancer to take root in new parts of the body. VRK1 was discovered to be necessary for mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, which scientists suspect may be important for the establishment of metastasis.