Latest science news in Biology & Nature
How that preprint about a 'more contagious strain' of coronavirus changed in peer review
On May 5, 2020, news broke about a reportedly more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19—based on a preliminary paper posted to the preprint server bioRxiv. The preprint...
Botswana investigating mystery deaths of 275 elephants
Authorities in Botswana do not know what has caused 275 elephants to die in recent months. Poaching has been ruled out because the carcasses were found intact.
Chemical gradients revealed in human tooth enamel
New chemical details could help scientists understand how teeth decay
New way to see RNA could help fight pathogens
In genetics, DNA has always been the star of the show, but scientists are now uncovering the crucial roles of a lesser-known player: transfer RNA.
Twenty-year study tracks a sparrow song that went 'viral' across Canada
Most bird species are slow to change their tune, preferring to stick with tried-and-true songs to defend territories and attract females. Now, with the help of citizen scientists, researchers have...
Farewell smooth handfish: What can we learn from the world's first marine fish extinction?
Earlier this month, a group of Australian scientists confirmed a depressing landmark for our blue planet: The first marine fish of modern times has been declared extinct on the IUCN...
New system combines smartphone videos to create 4D visualizations
Researchers have demonstrated that they can combine iPhone videos shot 'in the wild' by separate cameras to create 4D visualizations that allow viewers to watch action from various angles, or...
Treatments tested for invasive pest on allium crops
Researchers field-tested 14 active ingredients in insecticides, applied in a variety of methods, to understand the best treatment options against the Allium leafminer, a growing threat to onions, garlic and...
Stopping koala extinction is agonizingly simple, but here's why I'm not optimistic
On Tuesday, a year-long New South Wales parliamentary inquiry revealed the state's koalas are on track for extinction in the wild by 2050, without urgent government intervention.
Understanding the circadian clocks of individual cells
Two new studies led by UT Southwestern scientists outline how individual cells maintain their internal clocks, driven both through heritable and random means. These findings, published online May 1 in...
Long-term culture of human pancreatic slices reveals regeneration of beta cells
Scientists have developed a method allowing for the long-term culture of 'pancreatic slices' to study the regeneration of the human pancreas in real time.
Robot vs alien: The freshwater fish saga
How do you get rid of an invasive fish that is taking over waterways across the globe? With robot predators designed to scare them, of course!
Stimulating production of enzyme in roundworms found to increase lifespan
A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in South Korea has found that stimulating production of a certain enzyme in roundworms can increase their lifespan. In their paper published...
Everybody’s Microbiome Is Different. So How Do You Study It Usefully?
We know fiber is good for us and is an important part of our diet. One way to get more fiber in our diets is to take fiber supplements, and...
Study Gains New Insight Into Bacterial DNA Packing
When bacteria are put in different environments, such as one that is more acidic or anaerobic, their genes start to adapt remarkably quickly. They’re able to do so because the...
Researchers visualize new states of ribosome translation with cryo-EM
The stages in which ribosomes synthesize life-sustaining proteins have been revealed in unprecedented real-time detail by UMass Medical School structural biologists Andrei Korostelev, Ph.D., and Anna Loveland, Ph.D. Their new...
Botswana reports mysterious deaths of hundreds of elephants
Hundreds of elephants have died mysteriously in Botswana's famed Okavango Delta, the head of the wildlife department said Thursday, ruling out poaching as the tusks were found intact.
Common fireworks release toxic metals into the air
Some of America's favorite Independence Day fireworks emit lead, copper, and other toxins, a new study suggests. These metals, which are used to give fireworks their vibrant color, also damage...
Coronavirus fears spook Queen Mary into canceling Dark Harbor haunt
The popular spooky spectacle has been called off for 2020 as the pandemic continues, but is set to return in 2021.
Hundreds of elephants found dead in Botswana
Some 350 elephant carcasses have been spotted in Botswana's Okavango Delta since May.
350 elephants found dead in Botswana within past two months
Scientists in Africa have reported more than 350 elephants have died within the last two months in what has been described as a "conservation" disaster in Botswana.
Alligator with missing limbs shows up on Florida family's porch
A large alligator with two missing limbs has a new home at a reptile rescue after it showed up on a Florida family's front porch.
A shake-up in cell culturing: Flame sterilization may affect the culture
Researchers have found that flame-sterilizing shake-flasks, to avoid introducing microbial contaminants, considerably increases the carbon dioxide concentration in the flasks. This enhanced carbon dioxide concentration affects the growth of some...
Toward principles of gene regulation in multicellular systems?
Quantitative biologists ombine precision measurements and mathematical models to uncover a common mechanism regulating gene expression during development.
Why memory-forming neurons are vulnerable to Alzheimer's
Scientists have used advanced technology to 'micro-dissect' the first brain cells to perish in Alzheimer's disease. The result is a short list of genes that could represent new drug targets.
Influence of insect and microalgae feeds on meat quality
Worldwide there is growing demand for animal products for human nutrition, despite the popularity of plant-based diets. This means more feed is needed for animals. Future feedstuffs will need to...
6-foot boa constrictor found wandering loose in British garden
Animal rescuers in Britain said they are trying to find the owner of a 6-foot snake found slithering through a block of rental garden properties.
Charcoal a weapon to fight superoxide-induced disease, injury
Artificial enzymes made of treated charcoal could have the power to curtail damaging levels of superoxides, radical oxygen ions that are toxic at high concentrations.