Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Ancient enzymes can contribute to greener chemistry
A research team at Uppsala University has resurrected several-billion-year-old enzymes and reprogrammed them to catalyze completely different chemical reactions than their modern versions can manage. The method can be used...
Sweden closes inquiry on PM Olof Palme's 1986 assassination
Swedish authorities said Wednesday they're closing an investigation into the unsolved assassination more than 30 years ago of Prime Minister Olof Palme because the main suspect is dead.
Chimpanzees have a rare bone in their hearts
Scientists have discovered a rare heart bone, known as an os cordis bone, in chimpanzees.
Discovery of a malaria parasite's internal clock could lead to new treatment strategies
The parasites responsible for malaria seem to march to their own beat.
Researchers must 'bee' sweep netting to learn more about native bees
Novel research into native bee populations by Curtin University provides a best practice recommendation on how to accurately monitor these important insects, with the aim of monitoring and saving bee...
Moose fencing doesn't mean you don't need to watch for moose, biologist warns
Drivers, don't let wildlife fencing fool you. You could hit a moose any time, anywhere in New Brunswick — even within sections protected by fences designed to keep large animals off the...
Aussie scientists turn to drones to protect sea turtles
Australian researchers have discovered they were underestimating numbers at the world's largest sea turtle nesting site after turning to drone technology for the first time.
A rare heart bone is discovered in chimpanzees
Experts from the University of Nottingham have discovered that some chimpanzees have a bone in their heart, which could be vital in managing their health and conservation.
Human rights activist Nabeel Rajab released from Bahrain prison
Bahrain has released human rights activist Nabeel Rajab after nearly four years in prison on charges of criticizing the government online, his organization confirmed.
World's largest green turtle colony nearly twice as big as thought
The world's largest population of nesting green turtles is nearly twice as big as previously thought, scientists said on Wednesday, after drones enabled better surveys of the animals.
Wayward whale that swam 400km upriver to Montreal found dead
A young humpback whale that swam up one of Canada's major rivers, delighting Montrealers who packed the shores for a glimpse of the first of the species in local waters,...
Chemists #ShutDownSTEM to reflect on diversity in science
Researchers and scientific societies are taking off June 10 to address racism and representation
Scientists and Others Stage a #Strike4BlackLives
June 10 is a day off from “business as usual” for non-Black academics and a day of rest for Black students, staff and faculty -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Parasitic fungi keep harmful blue-green algae in check
When a lake is covered with green scums during a warm summer, cyanobacteria -- often called blue-green algae -- are usually involved. Mass development of cyanobacteria is bad for water...
Human eggs prefer some men's sperm over others, research shows
Human eggs use chemical signals to attract sperm. New research from Stockholm University and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust shows that eggs use these chemical signals to choose sperm. Different...
'Playing hard to get' really works; here's why
Researchers examined the effects of playing hard to get, a mating strategy that is likely to instill a certain degree of uncertainty. In a new study they show that making...
Milkweed, only food source for monarch caterpillars, ubiquitously contaminated
New evidence identifies 64 pesticide residues in milkweed, the main food for monarch butterflies in the west. Milkweed samples from all of the locations studied in California's Central Valley were...
Late blight research pairs spectroscopy with classic plant pathology diagnostics
Kaitlin (Katie) Gold is an assistant professor within the Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology section of the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University. At her lab, the Grape...
3D-printable material that mimics biological tissues
Researchers have 3D printed a complex, porous lattice structure using liquid crystal elastomers creating devices that can mimic cartilage and other biological tissues.
Armor on butterfly wings protects against heavy rain
An analysis of high-speed raindrops hitting biological surfaces such as feathers, plant leaves and insect wings reveals how these highly water-repelling veneers reduce the water's impact.
Study on shorebirds suggests that when conserving species, not all land is equal
Princeton University researchers may have solved a long-standing mystery in conservation that could influence how natural lands are designated for the preservation of endangered species.
Infected insects may warn of impending citrus disease a year in advance
Citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing of HLB), transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, is currently the biggest threat to the citrus industry and is threat to many parts of the world,...
Study identifies network of genes that directs trachea and esophagus development
A new study reporting how a network of genes directs the development of the trachea and esophagus in mice has been published today in eLife.
Armor on butterfly wings protects against heavy rain
An analysis of high-speed raindrops hitting biological surfaces such as feathers, plant leaves and insect wings reveals how these highly water-repelling veneers reduce the water's impact.
Scientists identify ancient origin for key hormone system
A key set of proteins that help regulate hormones necessary for many essential functions in humans and other vertebrates have ancient origins in much simpler creatures such as sea cucumbers,...
The disgusting at-home foot peel that will prepare your feet for summer
A review of the gross but effective Baby Foot exfoliating foot peel.
Engineers put tens of thousands of artificial brain synapses on a single chip
Engineers have designed a 'brain-on-a-chip,' smaller than a piece of confetti, that is made from tens of thousands of artificial brain synapses known as memristors -- silicon-based components that mimic...
UK pesticide standards could be slashed in new trade deals, threatening public health and the environment
UK consumers are likely to be exposed to larger amounts of more toxic chemicals in their food if trade negotiators from the US have their way, warns a new report...