Latest science news in Biology & Nature
A new method may make tomatoes safer to eat
When vegetable farmers harvest crops, they often rely on postharvest washing to reduce any foodborne pathogens, but a new study shows promise in reducing these pathogens -- as well as...
International study gets at the root of what makes deer migrate
Researchers found that the dynamics of springtime plant growth, specifically whether green-up progresses like a wave or not, explain where deer migration occurs in many ecosystems.
Trees living fast die young
A global analysis reveals for the first time that across almost all tree species, fast growing trees have shorter lifespans. This international study further calls into question predictions that greater...
Star-cells 'shine' to make sense of touch
A research group reports a rather surprise finding as to how GABA works to control the tactile sense. GABA, known for its inhibitory function, actually enhances the sensory input processing...
Scientists find clues to queen bee failure
Scientists are unraveling the mysteries behind a persistent problem in commercial beekeeping that is one of the leading causes of colony mortality -- queen bee failure.
Researchers use waveguides for sensitive protease monitoring
For the first time, researchers have detected protease activity with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) performed using a tiny waveguide. The work paves the way to real-time, label-free lab-on-a-chip protease monitoring,...
Lost frogs rediscovered with environmental DNA
Scientists have detected signs of a frog listed extinct and not seen since 1968, using an innovative technique to locate declining and missing species in two regions of Brazil.
Engineering speciation events in insects may be used to control harmful pests
Species typically evolve over the course of eons, but researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a way to do it in less than a year. A team of...
Distribution range of Ebola virus carriers in Africa may be larger than previously assumed
Zaire ebolavirus is among the deadliest of all known Ebola viruses for humans and is most likely transmitted by various species of bats. New models show where these species may...
Lost frogs rediscovered with environmental DNA
Scientists have detected signs of a frog listed extinct and not seen since 1968, using an innovative technique to locate declining and missing species in two regions of Brazil.
Glial cells play an active role in the nervous system
Researchers have discovered that glial cells - one of the main components of the brain -not only control the speed of nerve conduction, but also influence the precision of signal...
Orca that carried dead calf for 17 days gives birth to healthy new baby
A southern resident killer whale who carried her dead calf for two weeks in 2018 in a heart-wrenching display of mourning has once again given birth.
Judge threatens to remove Julian Assange on 2nd day of extradition hearing
A British judge on Tuesday threatened to remove WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange from the courtroom during an extradition hearing after he interjected while a witness was being questioned.
Listen: Gorillaz tease 'Strange Timez' featuring Robert Smith
The Gorillaz will release "Strange Timez," a new song featuring Robert Smith, on Wednesday.
Watch: Kelly Ripa, Ryan Seacrest reunite on 'Live' set after months apart
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest filmed a new episode of "Live with Kelly and Ryan" Season 33 while in-person at the show's studio.
Dr. Tam gives COVID-19 update
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, holds a news conference to provide an update on the coronavirus disease.
New subspecies of the rarest Palaearctic butterfly found in the Arctic Circle of Yakutia
An isolated population of the rarest Palaearctic butterfly species: the Arctic Apollo (Parnassius arcticus), turned out to be a new to science subspecies with distinct looks as well as DNA....
Scientists find clues to queen bee failure
Scientists at UBC are unraveling the mysteries behind a persistent problem in commercial beekeeping that is one of the leading causes of colony mortality—queen bee failure.
Cashing in on marine byproducts
As exploitation of wild fisheries and marine environments threaten food supplies, Flinders University scientists are finding sustainable new ways to convert biowaste, algal biomass and even beached seaweed into valuable...
Sterilised insects could help control mosquito-borne diseases
Aggressive tiger mosquitoes capable of spreading debilitating tropical diseases such as dengue and Zika are spreading through Europe, but scientists hope it may be possible to control these biting pests...
Gene-edited embryos should not be implanted for pregnancy, international commission says
More research is needed to ensure the safety of heritable genome changes
Massively parallel sequencing unlocks cryptic diversity of eye parasites in fish
Researchers at the Estonian University of Life Sciences and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with Finnish scientists, developed a methodology that uses next-generation sequencing technology for fast and...
Trees living fast die young
A global analysis reveals for the first time that across almost all tree species, fast growing trees have shorter lifespans. This international study further calls into question predictions that greater...
New insights into evolution of gene expression
Vertebrate organs organize physiological activities, and the diverse expression patterns of thousands of genes determines organ identities and functions. Because of this, the evolution of gene expression patterns plays a...
How mutations in DNA packaging machines cause cancer
Like wrenches made of Legos, SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes tighten or loosen DNA in our cells to control how genes are turned on and made into proteins. When assembled correctly,...
Inheritance in plants can now be controlled specifically
A new application of the CRISPR/Cas molecular scissors promises progress in crop cultivation. Researchers have succeeded in modifying the sequence of genes on a chromosome using CRISPR/Cas. For the first...
Protected areas can 'double' imperilled species populations
Many endangered mammal species are dependent on protected areas, and would likely vanish without them. Despite the success of protected areas, their popularity as a go-to conservation tool has started...
Mountain Peaks Seem to Shape Personality Traits in the American West
Topography may contribute to the formation of regional temperament -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com