Latest science news in Biology & Nature

Rare pattern observed in migrating common swifts

2 years ago from Physorg

Compared with other migratory birds, the common swift follows a very unusual pattern when it migrates from the breeding areas in Europe to its wintering locations south of the Sahara....

Tiny protein motor fuels bacterial movement

2 years ago from Science Daily

The ability to move is key for bacteria like some strains of salmonella and E. coli to efficiently spread infections. They can propel themselves forward using threads, known as flagella,...

Chimpanzees show greater behavioral and cultural diversity in more variable environments

2 years ago from Science Daily

Scientists have investigated the influence of environmental variability on the behavioral repertoires of 144 social groups. The scientists found that chimpanzees living further away from historical forest refugia, under more...

New shark research targets a nearly endangered species

2 years ago from Science Daily

They are some of the most iconic and unique-looking creatures in our oceans. While some may think they look a bit 'odd,' one thing researchers agree on is that little...

Rare pattern observed in migrating common swifts

2 years ago from Science Daily

Compared with other migratory birds, the common swift follows a very unusual pattern when it migrates from the breeding areas in Europe to its wintering locations south of the Sahara....

New shark research targets a nearly endangered species

2 years ago from Physorg

They are some of the most iconic and unique-looking creatures in our oceans. While some may think they look a bit odd, one thing researchers agree on is that little...

Possible genetic link found between hypothyroidism and development of canine T-zone lymphoma

2 years ago from Physorg

A genetic mutation might be the reason dogs with hypothyroidism are less likely to develop T-zone lymphoma (TZL). That's the finding from Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers at Colorado State University who tried...

Chimpanzees show greater behavioural and cultural diversity in more variable environments

2 years ago from Physorg

Behavioral flexibility enables species to adapt to uncertainty and changing ecological conditions via mechanisms such as innovation and greater cognitive capacity. Indeed, large brained species of birds or nonhuman primates...

Reports: Louisville settles Breonna Taylor wrongful death suit

2 years ago from UPI

The city of Louisville has reached a substantial settlement with the family of Breonna Taylor, who was killed during a police raid last spring, according to reports.

Study reveals impact of centuries of human activity in American tropics

2 years ago from Science Daily

The devastating effects of human activity on wildlife in the American tropics over the last 500 years are revealed. More than half of the species in local 'assemblages' - sets...

Ocean algae get 'coup de grace' from viruses

2 years ago from Science Daily

Scientists have long believed that ocean viruses always quickly kill algae, but new research shows they live in harmony with algae and viruses provide a 'coup de grace' only when...

Two amino acids are the Marie Kondo of molecular liquid phase separation

2 years ago from Science Daily

Biologists have identified unique roles for the amino acids arginine and lysine in contributing to molecule liquid phase properties and their regulation.

The first step to conserving the Great Barrier Reef is understanding what lives there

2 years ago from Physorg

Look at this photo of two coral skeletons below. You'd be forgiven for thinking they're the same species, or at least closely related, but looks can be deceiving. These two...

Tortoise hatchlings found to orient toward objects resembling faces

2 years ago from Physorg

A trio of researchers, one with the University of London, the other two with the University of Trento, has found that freshly hatched tortoises tend to orient themselves toward objects...

Extinction: Urgent change needed to save species, says UN

Humanity is at a crossroads and action is needed to slow nature's accelerating decline, says the UN.

Global Biodiversity Is in Free Fall

2 years ago from Scientific American

A U.N. report reveals that countries worldwide have failed to meet key conservation targets set for 2020 -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Humans have been degrading the American tropics for 500 years

2 years ago from UPI

New research suggests human activities have damaged ecosystems across the American tropics over the last 500 years, leading to significant declines in biodiversity.

How dividing cells avoid setting off false virus alarms

2 years ago from Physorg

One feature of cell division has long puzzled scientists. The nucleus briefly disappears, leaving the cell's DNA exposed. Normally, bare DNA indicates a viral infection and triggers enzymatic alarms that...

A new species of milkweed subfamily found in Yunnan

2 years ago from Physorg

Hoya is a genus in the Asclepiadoideae, the milkweed subfamily of the flowering-plant family Apocynaceae. In the past decade, 15 new Hoya were reported in China. Together with the newly...

Study reveals impact of centuries of human activity in American tropics

2 years ago from Physorg

The devastating effects of human activity on wildlife in the American tropics over the last 500 years are revealed in a new study published today.

Ocean algae get 'coup de grace' from viruses

2 years ago from Physorg

Scientists have long believed that ocean viruses always quickly kill algae, but Rutgers-led research shows they live in harmony with algae and viruses provide a "coup de grace" only when...

New study finds two amino acids are the Marie Kondo of molecular liquid phase separation

2 years ago from Physorg

The last several years have brought mounting evidence that the molecules inside our cells can self-organize into liquid droplets that merge and separate like oil in water in order to...

Team offers new rules for algae species classification

2 years ago from Physorg

FSU Assistant Professor of Biological Science Sophie McCoy and her team are proposing formal definitions for algae species and subcategories for the research community to consider: They are recommending algae...

Human activities promote disease-spreading mosquitoes; more study needed for prevention

2 years ago from Science Daily

Disease-spreading mosquitoes may be more likely to occupy areas impacted by human activities like pesticide use and habitat destruction, than they are areas less disturbed by humans, a recent study...

Wildlife trade threats: The importance of genetic data in saving an endangered species

2 years ago from Science Daily

A research team analyses the genetic diversity of the endangered four-eyed turtle, a species that has fallen victim to the growing wildlife trade in Vietnam. Having identified several distinct lineages...

New rules for algae species classification

2 years ago from Science Daily

A team of evolutionary biologists and ecologists has a new idea for how scientists should classify algae species.

911 call captures off-duty deputy spotting possible loose tiger

2 years ago from UPI

A 911 recording captured an off-duty deputy reporting a tiger on the loose in East Knox County, Tenn.

Gene-edited livestock 'surrogate sires' successfully made fertile

2 years ago from Science Daily

For the first time, scientists have created pigs, goats and cattle that can serve as viable 'surrogate sires,' male animals that produce sperm carrying only the genetic traits of donor...