Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Scientists discover three-dimensional structure in smaller water droplet
Water and its interactions with other substances are essential to human life. However, understanding the structure of liquid water and its hydrogen-bonding networks has been a challenge.
Team develops benchmark for detecting large genetic mutations linked to major diseases
Many serious diseases, including autism, schizophrenia and numerous cardiac disorders, are believed to result from mutation of an individual's DNA. But some large mutations, which still make up only a...
Role of lipid rafts in virus infiltration
New research sheds light on how and why the cell membrane forms and grows lipid rafts triggered by ligand-receptor activity. The work could lead to new strategies and innovative approaches...
A continental-scale prediction on the functional diversity of stream microbes
Climate mediates continental scale patterns of stream microbial functional diversity.
Watch: Alicia Keys performs 'Gramercy Park' at Tiny Desk concert
Alicia Keys performed "Gramercy Park," a song from her forthcoming album, "Alicia," during an intimate NPR concert.
New research investigates the role of lipid rafts in virus infiltration
A cell's membrane acts as a natural shield, a fence around the cell that protects and contains it. It mediates processes that let nutrients through and let waste out, and...
Surprising growth rates discovered in world's deepest photosynthetic corals
New research published in the journal Coral Reefs revealed unexpectedly high growth rates for deep water photosynthetic corals. The study, led by Samuel Kahng, affiliate graduate faculty in the University of Hawai'i...
Researchers discover what's behind nature's perhaps largest erection, which is not that big
In the plant kingdom, the sexual organ of a male pollen grain grows up to a thousand times its own length as it sniffs its way forth to a female...
New 3-D X-ray technique reveals secrets from inside bones
An international research team has used new X-ray techniques to describe how the architecture of healthy human bones is built up. The team has uncovered a hitherto unknown structure in...
Modeling neuronal cultures on 'brain-on-a-chip' devices
For the past several years, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists and engineers have made significant progress in development of a three-dimensional "brain-on-a-chip" device capable of recording neural activity of...
Scientists unravel the evolution and relationships for all European butterflies
For the first time, a complete time-calibrated phylogeny for a large group of invertebrates is published for an entire continent. Scientists provide a diagrammatic hypothesis of the relationships and evolutionary...
Unpacking the two layers of bacterial gene regulation during plant infection
A study in Nature Plants has revealed new insights into how pathogenic bacteria regulate gene expression during plant infection, as well as the strategies employed by plants to protect themselves...
Mutation in dominant coronavirus strain makes it more infectious
A particular mutation in one strain of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus may have helped it infect more human cells and turn it into the dominant strain worldwide, new laboratory research...
Look: Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline make romance Instagram official
Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline, who play John and Sarah on the Netflix series "Outer Banks," confirmed dating rumors.
Study finds albatrosses fine-tuned to wind conditions
A new study of albatrosses has found that wind plays a bigger role in their decision to take flight than previously thought, and due to their differences in body size,...
Switch in Mouse Brain Induces a Deep Slumber Similar to Hibernation
If such a snooze button exists in humans, it could protect against strokes, heart attacks and trauma -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Interactions between human‐modified habitat change and climate change shape tropical butterfly biodiversity in Yunnan
Butterflies are considered bioindicators of environmental change. In a study published in Insect Science, researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) found that butterfly diversity in tropical rainforests and savannas...
Precision genome editing enters the modern era
CRISPR has sparked a renaissance in genome editing. Now, next-generation CRISPR technologies let scientists modify the genome more efficiently and precisely than before. Such tools could one day serve as...
The search for nature in times of crisis and beyond
As a fellow hiker took a picture of the extremely faint Manhattan skyline stretched out beyond an inlet of the Long Island Sound, I thought about how financially privileged we...
Plight of the pangolin: Once coveted, now feared because of coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic may actually help conservation efforts to protect pangolins, but other endangered species aren't as lucky. A decline in Africa's tourism of late has contributed to a rise...
Scientists unravel the evolution and relationships for all European butterflies in a first
For the first time, a complete time-calibrated phylogeny for a large group of invertebrates is published for an entire continent.
Nearly 43,000 pounds of ground beef recalled due to E. coli
A New Jersey company recalled nearly 43,000 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with a strain of E. coli.
How blooms of northern anchovies are helping bring more sea life back to Burrard Inlet
The sight of anchovy scales catching the glint of the sun is becoming more common in B.C. waters, marine biologists say, and that could be drawing other, bigger species back to busy waterways...
A novel mechanism that triggers a cellular immune response
Viruses and other disease-causing microbes influence the type of immune response their hosts will develop against them. In some cases, the predominant response involves antibodies, proteins made by the immune...
Putting ‘Super’ in Natural Killer Cells
Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and deleting a key gene, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have created natural killer cells — a type of...
Canadian scientist sent deadly viruses to Wuhan lab months before RCMP asked to investigate
One of the scientists escorted from the National Microbiology Lab last year amid an RCMP investigation was responsible for a shipment of Ebola and Henipah viruses to the Wuhan National...
Sugar coating locks and loads coronavirus for infection
They say you can't judge a book by its cover. But the human immune system does just that when it comes to finding and attacking harmful microbes such as the...
Impacts of climate change on migrating mule deer
The benefits of migration are likely to decrease for mule deer and other migratory herbivores as drought becomes more common due to ongoing climate change.