Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Targeting multiple brain cell types through engineered viral capsids
Viruses are nature's Trojan horses: They gain entrance to cells, smuggle in their genetic material, and use the cell's own machinery to replicate. For decades, scientists have studied how to...
Geolocators give new insights into nesting behavior of godwits
To find out more about birds such as the black-tailed godwit, ecologists have been conducting long-term population studies using standardized information on reproductive behaviour—such as dates of egg-laying or hatching...
New ethane-munching microbes discovered at hot vents
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen have discovered a microbe that feeds on ethane at deep-sea hot vents. With a share of up to...
Bats get blamed for the coronavirus. But bats face their own virus risk — from humans
Evidence suggests the coronavirus originated from bats in Asia. But some researchers say that, here in North America, bats face the opposite risk — of being infected by human carriers.
Toxin-producing bacteria can make this newt deadly
Some newts living in the western United States are poisonous, perhaps thanks to bacteria living on their skin. Rough-skinned newts use tetrodotoxin — a paralytic neurotoxin also found in pufferfish and the blue-ringed...
Close-Up Views of Tumors Reveal a New Cancer Biology
RNA sequencing has shown a previously unknown dimension to the way malignant cells work—which could lead to novel treatments -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Lizards develop new 'love language': Animal chemical signals shift after only four generations
Relocated in small groups to experimental islands, lizards rapidly and repeatedly developed new chemical signals for communicating with each other. Free from the risk of predators and intent to attract...
On This Day, April 21: Red Baron flying ace dies in WWI
On April 21, 1918, Manfred von Richthofen, German World War I flying ace known as "The Red Baron," was killed by Allied fire over Vaux-sur-Somme, France.
Method Speeds Discovery of Viruses to Deliver Brain Gene Edits
Viruses are nature’s Trojan horses: They gain entrance to cells, smuggle in their genetic material, and use the cell’s own machinery to replicate. For decades, scientists have studied how to...
Finding Leukemia’s Weakness Using Genome-Wide CRISPR Technology
UC San Diego researchers used CRISPR technology to carry out a genome-wide screen in leukemia cells to block thousands of genes at once. The tool was used to identify genes...
Plant disease: UK restricts olive tree imports to halt infection
Imports of lavender and rosemary will also be restricted from today to halt a deadly plant infection.
More protest California's stay-at-home rules in Sacramento, Newport Beach
Coronavirus: More protests over California stay-at-home rules in Sacramento, Newport Beach
This photo confirms that your tongue is basically a microbe party
Our tongues are teeming with bacteria. (STEVEN WILBERT AND GARY BORISY, THE FORSYTH INSTITUTE/)The human tongue is an essential component of our daily lives. After all, we wouldn’t be able to eat, taste,...
Mind over body: The search for stronger brain-computer interfaces
Researchers are working on understanding how the brain works when learning tasks with the help of brain-computer interface technology. The team is moving the needle forward on brain-computer interface technology...
Coronavirus crisis exacerbates struggles of animal sanctuaries in Spain
Animal sanctuaries in Spain are seeing an increase in abandoned animals as owners become sick or die from COVID-19.
Unprecedented single-cell studies in virtual embryo
Researchers have created the first complete description of early embryo development, accounting for every single cell in the embryo. This 'virtual embryo' will help to answer how the different cell...
The secret life of godwits
To find out more about birds such as the black-tailed godwit, ecologists have been conducting long-term population studies using standardized information on reproductive behavior -- such as dates of egg-laying...
Some California communities are pushing to ease stay-at-home orders. Is it too soon?
As the state begins to bend the curve, there is growing pressure to loosen rules that were put in place to slow the spread of the virus.
The smell of fear warns other voles
For a prey animal, the smell of a predator is one of many signals for danger. New research has shown that prey individuals can communicate with each other about the...
Hundreds of thousands in L.A. County may have the coronavirus, study finds
Hundreds of thousands of L.A. County residents may have been infected with the coronavirus by early April, outpacing total of known cases, report says.
Southern California dispensaries list their top edibles options for 4/20
From a spirited Zoom session to binge-watching "Tiger King," there's a smoke-free option to pair with it.
NIH unveils consortium to tackle COVID-19 research
Multiple government agencies and pharma companies join the effort to develop therapeutics and vaccines
Gypsy moth larvae love poplar leaves infected by fungi
Black poplar leaves infected by fungi are especially susceptible to attack by gypsy moth caterpillars. A research team found that young larvae that fed on leaves covered with fungal spores...
Study describes cocktail of pharmaceuticals in waters in Bangladesh
An analysis revealed that water samples held a cocktail of pharmaceuticals and other compounds, including antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants, anesthetics, antihypertensive drugs, pesticides, flame retardants and more. Not all of these...
Coronavirus the musical: U.S. scientists turn virus into melody to aid research
From tinkling harmonies as the virus disarms cells to clashing and stormy as it replicates, U.S. scientists have translated the novel coronavirus' spiked protein structure to music in an effort...
Cholera studies reveal mechanisms of biofilm formation and hyperinfectivity
Free-swimming cholera bacteria are much less infectious than bacteria in biofilms, aggregates of bacterial cells embedded in a sticky matrix that form on surfaces. This accounts for the surprising effectiveness...
Apparent garden hose in North Carolina yard was a large black snake
A North Carolina man who nearly picked up what he thought was a black garden hose outside his home said he abandoned his plan when he realized it was a...
Oak genomics proves its worth
A year and a half following the publication of the pedunculate oak genome by France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) and The Commission for Atomic...