Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Rare cinnamon black bear with cubs captured and moved out of Fort St. John, B.C.
A family of black bears that was generating hourly calls to the conservation officer service in Fort St. John, B.C., has been tranquilized and relocated, wildlife officials say.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: How many crocodiles can you see?
Gharial crocodiles may number less than 1,000 individuals in the wild - but there is always hope.
Dodder uses the flowering signal of its host plant to flower
Researchers have investigated how the parasitic dodder Cuscuta australis controls flower formation. They showed that the parasite eavesdrops on the flowering signals of its host plants in order to activate...
Genetic mutations may be linked to infertility, early menopause
A new study identifies a specific gene's previously unknown role in fertility. When the gene is missing in fruit flies, roundworms, zebrafish and mice, the animals are infertile or lose...
Scientists develop first drug-like compounds to inhibit elusive cancer-linked enzymes
Structural biology techniques helped researchers target the nuclear receptor-binding SET domain family for the first time; its malfunction is associated with several types of cancer.
Secret weapon to stop invasive honeysuckle: Satellites
Researchers found that satellite imagery can identify non-native and invasive Amur honeysuckle, an ornamental shrub introduced from Asia that has spread in forests across much of the United States.
Newly discovered sugar transporter might help beans tolerate hot temperatures
MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory (PRL) scientists have characterized a sucrose transporter protein found in common beans. The recently discovered protein could help us understand how beans tolerate hot temperatures. The...
Secret weapon to stop invasive honeysuckle: Satellites
One common invasive species is so widespread that you can see it from space.
Scientists develop first drug-like compounds to inhibit elusive cancer-linked enzymes
A team of scientists from the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center has developed the first drug-like compounds to inhibit a key family of enzymes whose malfunction is associated with...
Stealing information from host plants: How the parasitic dodder plant flowers
About 4,000 to 5,000 parasitic plant species exist. Among these, dodders (Cuscuta, Convolvulaceae) are distributed worldwide. Compared with normal autotrophic plants, they have a unique morphology—they are rootless and leafless...
Discovery of an ancient dog species may teach us about human vocalization
In a study published in PNAS, researchers used conservation biology and genomics to discover that the New Guinea singing dog, thought to be extinct for 50 years, still thrives. Scientists...
Study finds missing link in the evolutionary history of carbon-fixing protein Rubisco
A team led by researchers at the University of California, Davis, has discovered a missing link in the evolution of photosynthesis and carbon fixation. Dating back more than 2.4 billion...
Prior exposure to powdery mildew makes plants more vulnerable to subsequent disease
A key to surviving in the wild is fighting off infection -- and not just once. For plants, as with humans, one infection may or may not leave a plant...
Study finds missing link in the evolutionary history of carbon-fixing protein Rubisco
A team has discovered a missing link in the evolution of photosynthesis and carbon fixation. Dating back more than 2.4 billion years, a newly discovered form of the plant enzyme...
COVID lockdown offers insight into human-wildlife interactions
As COVID-19 lockdowns forced billions indoors, wildlife came out to play in many parts of the world. Sightings have been reported of coyotes roaming through San Francisco, dolphins frolicking along Istanbul’s shores, and...
Saving marine life: Novel method quantifies the effects of plastic on marine wildlife
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology together with their international collaborators have developed a novel quantitative method to quantify the effects of plastic on marine animals. This method successfully shows...
Hydroacoustic 3-D snapshots of fish habitats could help stem overfishing
Robotic eyes and ears under the water's surface could help researchers figure out how much fish are in our oceans—and how much we can eat.
Citizen scientists bring surprising insights into cowslip mating system
About half of the individuals of cowslip (Primula veris) have flowers with a short style, while the other half of individuals produce flowers with a long style. Recent discoveries have...
Bamboozling the bark beetles
The forest is struggling to cope with the largest bark beetle plague in 70 years. While the trees are suffering due to the heat and the drought, the pests are...
Following African elephant trails to approach conservation differently
Elephant trails may lead the way to better conservation approaches.
Watch: Woman swims 24 hours in Lake Michigan for diabetes charity
A long-distance swimmer spent 24 hours swimming non-stop in Lake Michigan to raise money for an Illinois diabetes charity.
Insect shows promise as a good, sustainable food source
With global food on the rise, a new study has found new evidence that the yellow mealworm shows promise as alternative source of nutritional protein.
Serengeti leopard population densities healthy but vary seasonally, study finds
A study of camera-trap data from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania found that leopard population densities in the 3.7-million-acre park are similar to those in other protected areas but vary...
Following African elephant trails to approach conservation differently
Elephant trails may lead the way to better conservation approaches. 'Think of elephants as engineers of the forests. Elephants shape the landscape in many ways that benefit humans. We're talking...
Hydroacoustic 3D snapshots of fish habitats could help stem overfishing
Robotic eyes and ears under the water’s surface could help researchers figure out how much fish are in our oceans – and how much we can eat. Researchers are hoping...
Watch: 'Made by Maddie' teaser introduces fashion-savvy 8-year-old
"Made by Maddie," an animated Nickelodeon series exploring family, friendship and fashion, will premiere Sept. 13 on Nick Jr.
Humans' construction 'footprint' on ocean quantified for first time
In a world-first, the extent of human development in oceans has been mapped. An area totalling approximately 30,000 square kilometres—the equivalent of 0.008 percent of the ocean—has been modified by...
Sex cells have a sweet tooth, and they pass it on to the brain
Our job seems easy when compared with that of our cells. While they are hard at work, breaking some molecules and building others, we mainly have to do one thing—feed...