Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Cargill gives biobased acrylic acid one more go
New technology from Procter & Gamble starts with abundant lactic acid
Researchers show how fishmeal and oil alternatives can support aquaculture growth
As the world increasingly turns to aqua farming to feed its growing population, there’s no better time than now to design an aquaculture system that is sustainable and efficient. Researchers...
Making tissue stretchable, compressible, and nearly indestructible
When there’s a vexing problem to be solved, people sometimes offer metaphorical advice such as “stretching the mind” or engaging in “flexible” thinking, but in confronting a problem facing many biomedical research labs,...
The evolution of biodiversity: ever-increasing or did it hit a ceiling?
By Gareth Willmer Preserving biodiversity is one of the key debates of our time – but another subject of hot debate in recent decades among evolutionary experts is how biodiversity...
Scientists alter genes of innate immune cells
A UCLA research team has successfully used the powerful gene-editing tool known as CRISPR-Cas9 to alter the DNA of mature innate immune cells, some of the body’s first responders to infections. These blood cells have been...
Elucidating the mechanism of a light-driven sodium pump
Researchers have succeeded for the first time in recording, in action, a light-driven sodium pump from bacterial cells. The findings promise progress in the development of new methods in neurobiology.
Coronavirus secrets: 'I'm already lazy so this is right up my alley'
Driving from L.A. to San Diego to do laundry, secret trips to the beach and other anonymous admissions from readers.
Spring rains are a surprising source of pollen
Spring rains washes away some pollen, but not all. Researchers have found tree pollen fragments can remain airborne for hours after a storm. The tiny pollen particles can exacerbate allergies...
'Bee' thankful for the evolution of pollen
Over 80% of the world's flowering plants must reproduce in order to produce new flowers. This process involves the transfer of pollen between plants by wind, water or insects called...
Squid and fish use flashes of light to disorient hungry elephant seals
Squid and fish species use flashes of light to disorient hungry elephant seal moms in the Southern Ocean.
The evolution of biodiversity: ever-increasing or did it hit a ceiling?
Preserving biodiversity is one of the key debates of our time—but another subject of hot debate in recent decades among evolutionary experts is how biodiversity has changed over the past...
Study finds microplastics in Florida's birds of prey for first time
A new study from the University of Central Florida has confirmed and quantified, for the first time, the presence of microplastics in terrestrial and aquatic birds of prey in Florida,...
Reliable diving watches for your undersea adventures
Know your dive. (Cristian Palmer via Unsplash/)Diving watches can be an integral part of your underwater experience. They are designed to withstand the pressure of the ocean and keep you up to speed...
New Artificial Eye Mimics a Retina's Natural Curve
Researchers have crafted a device that replicates the shape of the eye’s sensory membrane -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Hunting threatens one of the world's most amazing wildlife migrations
As the world looks to tighten up the illegal capture of wildlife, migratory birds are being threatened by widespread and unsustainable hunting across the Asia-Pacific region.
Scientists discover a novel FLT3-ITD mutant selective inhibitor
Recently, a research team led by Dr. Liu Qingsong and Dr. Liu Jing from High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has discovered a novel FLT3-ITD mutation-selective...
'Anti-ageing' protein shown to slow cell growth is key in longevity – new research
Humans are living longer than ever before. But alongside these increases in life expectancy are an increase in the occurrence of age-related diseases such as cancer and dementia.
'New' footage of extinct Tasmanian tiger released by NFSA
A 21-second newsreel clip featuring the last known images of the extinct thylacine, filmed in 1935, has been digitised in 4K and released by the National Film and Sound Archive...
Researchers reveal origins of complex hemoglobin by resurrecting ancient proteins
Most biological processes are carried out by complexes of multiple proteins that work together to carry out some function. How these complicated structures could have evolved is one of modern...
Lab engineers 3D-functional bone tissues
Scientists have developed a highly printable bioink as a platform to generate anatomical-scale functional tissues.
A new tool for cell biologists for creating synthetic cell membranes
Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences describes a new approach for creating synthetic cell membrane mimics. Using a new approach for "click" chemistry, researchers designed...
Alpine ginger Roscoea tibetica comprises two species
The alpine ginger Roscoea tibetica Batalin is the most widespread and extensively phenotypic-variable herbaceous species in Roscoea in the Hengduan Mountains. Diverse phenotypic variations in one population and similar habitat...
Divergence in flowering time contributes reproductive isolation between wild rice species
Speciation is the process by which new species form and is the driving force of biodiversity. Since Darwin published On the Origin of Species, great efforts have been performed to...
Image analysis technique provides better understanding of heart cell defects
Many patients with heart disease face limited treatment options. Fortunately, stem cell biology has enabled researchers to produce large numbers of cardiomyocytes, which may be used in drug screens and...
Field courses boost student success, support STEM diversity efforts
The challenge of diversifying STEM fields may get a boost from the results of a new study that show field courses help build self-confidence among students -- especially those from...
Migratory secrets of recovering whale species
Scientists have discovered where a whale species that feeds around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia breeds during the winter months. This understanding of where the animals migrate from will...
Meet Africa's first pygmy seahorse species
An international research team has discovered a new pygmy seahorse species in Sodwana Bay in South Africa, the first of its kind to be found in the waters around the...
Iron nanorobots go undercover to do surveillance on living cells in real time
Living cells inside the body could be placed under surveillance—their location and migration noninvasively tracked in real time over many days—using a new method developed by researchers at KAUST.