Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Eliminating damaged germline cells preserves germline integrity
The germline is the cell lineage of an organism that passes on its genetic material to its progeny. Genetic damage to the germline can cause developmental defects and even death...
Bacteria 'factories' used to discover potential new malaria drugs
Researchers have engineered bacteria to produce new versions of a potential antibiotic molecule, some with potent antimalarial properties.
L.A. County, Bay Area take conservative approach as California eases stay-at-home rules
With parts of the California economy poised to reopen Friday, major metropolitan areas will be taking it slow over concerns that COVID-19 remains a significant threat to their populations.
Op-Ed: Enjoying nature during the shutdown is easy — but only if you're rich
The fight for access to open space and natural landscapes has a long history, and it's taken a new turn in the coronavirus outbreak.
Hong Kong customs seize 38,500 endangered shark fins
Hong Kong has seized 26 tonnes of smuggled shark fins, sliced from some 38,500 endangered animals, in the largest bust of its kind in the southern Chinese city.
Brain model links herpes virus to development of Alzheimer's disease
Bio-engineered models of the human brain infected with herpes simplex virus-1 develop many of the same characteristics found in Alzheimer's disease, according to a new analysis published by Science Advances.
How the Covid-19 pandemic is threatening Africa’s wildlife
Park rangers in Africa say the closure of safari tourism is leading to an increase in poaching.
Dual personalities visualized for shape-shifting molecule
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the structure of a key genetic molecule, called RNA, and revealing for the first time how these changes impact RNA's function. The research...
Scientists shed light on essential carbon-fixing machinery in bacteria
Scientists have been studying cyanobacteria and its many potential applications for decades, from cutting CO2 emissions to creating a substitute for oil-based plastics, but there wasn't a deep understanding of...
First-in-kind study reveals genetic markers of type 2 diabetes in East Asians
This research shows how different populations of people share most of the genetic susceptibilities to developing type 2 diabetes but do have some different genetic variations that can make them...
How small chromosomes compete with big ones for a cell's attention
From avocado plants to baker's yeast, humans to zebras, sexually reproducing organisms must create germ cells that contain half the number of chromosomes found in a typical body cell. When...
New computational method unravels single-cell data from multiple people
A new computational method for assigning the donor in single cell RNA sequencing experiments provides an accurate way to unravel data from a mixture of people. The Souporcell method could...
Why do so many diseases come from bats?
Members of a newly discovered bat species, the Hipposideros bats, flying out of an abandoned gold mine in Western Kenya. (B.D. Patterson, Field Museum/)Much about the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear,...
Add vavoom to your Zoom with these tips from Hollywood sound and lighting pros
Your Zoom or Skype meetings don't have to look like hostage videos. Here's what some experts advise.
Staghorn coral restoration projects show promise in Florida Keys
A new analysis of reef restoration projects in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary suggests they could play a key role in helping staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) recover from being...
Look beyond rainforests to protect trees, scientists say
Temperate and tropical dry forests—not just rainforests—are home to thousands of unique tree species, a new study reveals.
Escaped emu found playing in sprinkler one day later
A Michigan family said their 6-foot-tall emu was found playing in another resident's sprinkler about a mile from home one day after escaping.
New freeze-resistant trichinella species discovered in wolverines
A new freeze-resistant Trichinella species has been discovered in wolverines by Agricultural Research Service scientists and their colleagues. Trichinella are parasites that cause the disease trichinosis (formally referred to as...
Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 offer insights into virus evolution
By analyzing virus genomes from over 7,500 people infected with COVID-19, researchers have characterized patterns of diversity of SARS-CoV-2 virus genome, offering clues to direct drugs and vaccine targets. The...
Towards antibodies against COVID-19
Researchers have announced the isolation and characterization of a unique antibody that can bind to the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The team has established that the antibody binds to...
Dual personalities visualized for shape-shifting molecule
Australian and US researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the structure of a key genetic molecule, called RNA, and revealing for the first time how these changes impact RNA's...
Lyin' eyes: Butterfly, moth eyespots may look the same, but likely evolved separately
The iconic eyespots that some moths and butterflies use to ward off predators likely evolved in distinct ways, providing insights into how these insects became so diverse.
Neurology: Study finds 'volume dial' for turning neural communication up or down
Neuroscientists find that the protein Synaptotagmin 7 limits the supply of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles for release at synapses.
Potent combination of math and medicine inspires grad
This is one in a series of profiles showcasing some of Harvard’s stellar graduates. Deep in the rainforests of Madagascar, Akshaya Annapragada was counting chickens. Then, as a first-year, Annapragada traveled to the...
Worms freeload on bacterial defence systems
Scientists have untangled a sensory circuit in worms that allows them to choose whether to spend energy on self-defence or rely on the help of nearby bacteria, a new study...
Lifting stay-at-home order too soon would cause more deaths, Northern California officials say
Lifting coronavirus stay-at-home restrictions too soon will lead to more infections and deaths and be bad for the economy, officials in Northern California say.
Birds take flight with help from Sonic hedgehog
Feathers are amazing evolutionary innovations that allowed birds to conquer the sky. A study led by Matthew Towers (University of Sheffield, UK) and Marian Ros (University of Cantabria, Spain) and...
Researchers present a microbial strain capable of massive succinic acid production
A research team led by Distinguished Professor Sang-Yup Lee reported the production of a microbial strain capable of the massive production of succinic acid with the highest production efficiency to...