Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Protective shield: How pathogens withstand acidic environments in the body
Certain bacteria, including the dangerous nosocomial pathogen MRSA, can protect themselves from acidic conditions in the body and thus ensure their survival. Researchers at the Biozentrum of the University of...
Researchers develop synthetic novel coronavirus clones
Researchers in virology and veterinary bacteriology at the University of Bern have cloned the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The synthetic clones are being used by research groups worldwide to test corona...
Extinguishing fearful memories depends on the flexibility of your DNA
New research shows that the ability to extinguish fearful memories relies on a change in DNA structure: from Z-DNA to B-DNA. The findings suggest that the more easily you can...
Overlapping versions of our genetic history complicate precision medicine
The promise of personalized medicine has not fully materialized, say researchers, because the full sophistication of the genetic blueprint has a more complex and far-reaching influence on human health than...
Bacterial behavior influences cloud formation
ETH researchers have analyzed individual marine bacterial cells to show that metabolic processes inside them determine the amount of gas they release, which is involved in cloud formation.
Intensive farming makes epidemics more likely
Intensive farming, characterized by the overuse of antibiotics, large numbers of animals and limited genetic diversity, increases the odds of animal pathogens making the jump to humans and triggering an...
What COVID-19 Antibody Tests Can and Cannot Tell Us
Assays that detect prior novel coronavirus infections could reveal the extent of outbreaks. But they may give individuals false security -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Scientists solve mystery of how koalas get water without leaving trees
Scientists have solved a lingering mystery about koala behavior — how these tree-dwelling marsupials native to Australia consume enough water to live.
A mutant coronavirus has emerged, even more contagious than the original, study says
A mutation in the novel coronavirus has led to a new strain viewed as more contagious than the virus that emerged from China, according to a study led by Los...
N.S. wild brook trout hold firm against millions of hatchery releases: study
A new study shows wild brook trout have not interbred with hatchery fish, which were sampled over two years in the first ever genetic analysis of Nova Scotia populations.
A mutant coronavirus has emerged, even more contagious than the original, study says
A mutation in the novel coronavirus has led to a new strain viewed as more contagious than the virus that emerged from China, according to a study led by Los...
Letters to the Editor: Start reopening California by rationing access to beaches and trails
Californians feel hopeless, so some are protesting. The solution is to limit access to public spaces without completely closing them.
Pug-nosed tree frogs use an auditory trick to evade predators and woo mates
Most male frogs want their mating call to stand out from the crowd, and they do that by calling when nobody else is. This makes sure that the females hear them loud...
Research shows relationship between trophic type and latent period in fungal pathogens
Through a meta-analysis of biotrophs, hemibiotrophs, and necrotophs, four scientists set out to find if the latent period of leaf fungal pathogens reflects their trophic types. The answer? Yes, there...
Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infects cells of the intestine
Researchers have found that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, can infect the cells of the intestine and multiply there. Using state-of-the-art cell culture models of the human intestine, the...
Activation of the SARS coronavirus 2 revealed
A viral spike protein mediates entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells and harbors an unusual activation sequence. This sequence is cleaved by the cellular enzyme furin and the cleavage is...
New ancient plant captures snapshot of evolution
Researchers have discovered an ancient plant species whose reproductive biology captures the evolution from one to two spore sizes -- an essential transition to the success of the seed and...
How synaptic changes translate to behavior changes
Learning changes behavior by altering many connections between brain cells in a variety of ways all at the same time, according to a study of sea slugs. The findings offer...
Intensive farming increases risk of epidemics
Overuse of antibiotics, high animal numbers and low genetic diversity from intensive farming increase the risk of animal pathogens transferring to humans.
Coronavirus: Calls to shut down 'dirty fur trade'
Mink have caught Covid-19, adding to the list of infected animals, and prompting calls for trade bans.
How do koalas drink? Not the way you might think
Scientists have solved a lingering mystery about koala behavior - how these tree-dwelling marsupials native to Australia consume enough water to live.
Op-Ed: State lockdowns have become politically divisive. Here's how we can come together
What happens when sacred values — human life and liberty — are pitted against each another?
Nicolas Cage cast as 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic
A TV series based on tiger breeder Joe Exotic has cast Nicolas Cage to play him, Variety reported. Exotic was the subject of the Netflix series "Tiger King."
Imaging technology allows visualization of nanoscale structures inside whole cells
Since Robert Hooke's first description of a cell in Micrographia 350 years ago, microscopy has played an important role in understanding the rules of life.
After 150 years, rare brown bear captured on video in Spain
A film crew in Spain announced Monday the release of video of a rare brown bear filmed in a national park -- the first time the species has been seen...
Dawn of good, fast and cheap human genome assembly
Researchers are driving advances in human genome assembly to make the process better, faster, and cheaper. Researchers plan to leverage these innovations to create a reference genome more representative of...
In photos: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds fly over D.C. area
Crowds gathered at the National Mall to see the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Washington, D.C. on May 2, 2020 to salute frontline workers...
Smart use of genomic data needed in species conservation
A 'step-change' in conservation is needed in order to help save species from extinction in the future. Evolutionary geneticists call for the smart use of genomic data to make populations...