Latest science news in Biology & Nature

AI predicts the function of enzymes

29 weeks ago from Physorg

Enzymes are the molecule factories in biological cells. However, which basic molecular building blocks they use to assemble target molecules is often unknown and difficult to measure. An international team...

New study challenges some dogmas about marine microbial life

29 weeks ago from Physorg

If scientists want to find out how fast a population of bacteria grows, they often measure how their cell count changes over time. However, this method has a major flaw:...

Scent ‘camouflage’ keeps mice from destroying crops

29 weeks ago from Science NOW

House mice may look cute, but they’re little monsters when it comes to crops. The rodents destroy 70 million tons of rice, wheat, and maize each year by devouring and infesting stored...

Memphis Zoo celebrates birth of 2 Sumatran tiger cubs

29 weeks ago from UPI

The Memphis Zoo announced last week the births of two Sumatran tiger cubs, the first at the zoo in more than two decades of the endangered species.

Rarest of rare: 2 albino egg-laying mammals spotted in Australia

29 weeks ago from Live Science

Echidnas are shy creatures, and even individuals without albinism are rarely seen in the wild.

11-foot alligator surprises man in suburban Houston

29 weeks ago from UPI

The Houston area has seen its share of alligators before, but the 11-foot, 1,200-pound beast Cornealous Greigg, Jr., spotted just after midnight Sunday was head-turning even for him.

New insights into the complex neurochemistry of ants

29 weeks ago from Physorg

Ants' brains are amazingly sophisticated organs that enable them to coordinate complex behavior patterns such as the organization of colonies. Now, a group of researchers led by Christian Gruber of...

Recently discovered protein domain regulates collagen transport

29 weeks ago from Physorg

Collagen is the protein that holds our body together. It is produced inside cells, from where it must be transported to its site of action in connective tissue. The protein...

Kangaroo Island wildlife key to beverage fermentation

29 weeks ago from Physorg

Researchers from the University of Adelaide have discovered new species of lactic acid bacteria on Kangaroo Island that could be used in the fermentation of wine, ciders and sour beers.

How funnel-web spiders practice safe sex

29 weeks ago from Physorg

The complex mating rituals of the Sydney funnel-web spider have now been described in detail for the first time, with sexual routines including leg and body vibrations and female lifting,...

Slowing the aging of the intestine in fish slows the aging of the entire organism, discover scientists

29 weeks ago from Physorg

Is it possible to extend lifespan by simply slowing the aging of an organ, such as the intestine? CNRS researchers have discovered how to extend the life expectancy of zebrafish...

Foo Fighters announce new drummer Josh Freese

29 weeks ago from UPI

The Foo Fighters have announced their new drummer, Josh Freese, who will join the band after the death of Taylor Hawkins last year.

Spy tech and rigged eggs help scientists study the secret lives of animals

29 weeks ago from PopSci

The Oregon Zoo isn't putting all its eggs in a basket when it comes to condor conservation. The Dark Queen / Unsplash Last week, The New York Times went backstage at the...

9 native grasses that will revitalize your sad, water-wasting lawn

29 weeks ago from PopSci

Native types of grass, like this colorful muhly grass, can make your lawn more colorful, sustainable, and welcoming to wildlife. Zen Rial / Getty Images The most irrigated crop in the US...

Stop eradication of small mammals to protect vital ecosystems, say scientists

29 weeks ago from Physorg

A new article published in the Journal of Animal Ecology suggests that current measures to protect grasslands in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are damaging the ecosystem and should be stopped.

Owl be there for you: Grumpy the owl finally fostering an owlet at Kamloops wildlife park

29 weeks ago from CBC: Technology & Science

For years, staff at B.C. Wildlife Park has wanted Grumpy, the great horned owl, to take a younger bird under her wing. Now, that's finally happening.

More than 30 birds found dead at Suncor oilsands tailings ponds sites

29 weeks ago from CBC: Technology & Science

The Alberta Energy Regulator says a total of 32 dead waterfowl have been found at two separate oilsands tailings ponds operated by Suncor Energy Inc.

More than 30 birds found dead at Suncor oilsands tailings ponds sites

29 weeks ago from CBC: Technology & Science

The Alberta Energy Regulator says a total of 32 dead waterfowl have been found at two separate oilsands tailings ponds operated by Suncor Energy Inc.

Canada goose strikes Moncton man on trail, biologist has tips for preventing attacks

29 weeks ago from CBC: Technology & Science

Erik Gingles was biking along the Moncton side of the riverfront trail when he saw a family of Canada geese waiting to cross. He let the family cross, but while...

Bear caught feasting on birdseed at Huron County cottage

29 weeks ago from CBC: Technology & Science

Lynda Mackey had an unexpected guest show up to her cottage along the shoreline of Lake Huron, Monday. One that she's never seen in her 20 years of owning the place. It...

Bear caught feasting on birdseed at Huron County cottage

29 weeks ago from CBC: Technology & Science

Lynda Mackey had an unexpected guest show up to her cottage along the shoreline of Lake Huron, Monday. One that she's never seen in her 20 years of owning the place. It...

Tough spring for allergies? Meet a man who's been doing pollen counts since 1968

29 weeks ago from CBC: Technology & Science

Jim Anderson gathers pollen samples from the roof of the building where he works in London's SoHo neighbourhood. It's a labour of love for the aerobiologist who's been gathering samples...

Privacy concerns sparked by human DNA accidentally collected in studies of other species

29 weeks ago from Science NOW

Everywhere they go, humans leave stray DNA. Police have used genetic sequences retrieved from cigarette butts and coffee cups to identify suspects; archaeologists have sifted DNA from cave dirt to identify ancient humans....

Mountain gorillas bounce back from rough childhoods better than many humans and other primates

29 weeks ago from Science NOW

In 1978, at the tender age of 4, a mountain gorilla named Titus living in East Africa’s Virunga Mountains experienced a series of unthinkable tragedies. His father and brother were killed by poachers,...

Watch this spider crawl like an ant to avoid being eaten

29 weeks ago from Science NOW

Unlike some other spiders that camouflage themselves with drab colors and sticklike appendages , the jumping spider Siler collingwoodi disguises itself by the way it moves. The bright blue and orange arachnid—a pea-size...

‘Game changer.’ Scientists are genetically engineering crops to clone themselves

29 weeks ago from Science NOW

In early summer, unusual pollinators swoop over rice fields in Texas and Arkansas. Small, nimble helicopters fly low and steady so their rotors blow pollen from one row of plants to another....

‘Game changer.’ Scientists are genetically engineering crops to clone themselves

29 weeks ago from Science NOW

In early summer, unusual pollinators swoop over rice fields in Texas and Arkansas. Small, nimble helicopters fly low and steady so their rotors blow pollen from one row of plants to another....

This cave-dwelling eel is going blind, by losing one eye at a time

29 weeks ago from Science NOW

Scientists exploring underwater caves have discovered a new species of moray eel that appears to be adapting to its unique habitat—by losing its eyes. Some specimens of Uropterygius cyamommatus have left eyes covered...