Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Guilt by dissociation: Study sheds light on serotonin in autism
A study on serotonin, a mood-regulating molecule in the brain that regulates many brain synapses, is helping to unravel the puzzle surrounding its role in autism. The activity and regulation...
Watch: British zoo's parrot impresses patrons with Beyonce cover
A parrot at a British zoo has become a hit with visitors and a viral sensation online after belting out a rendition of Beyonce's "If I Were A Boy."
Nicola Adams joins 'Strictly Come Dancing,' will have female partner
Nicola Adams will be the first contestant to compete as part of a female same-sex dance team on the BBC series "Strictly Come Dancing."
Viruses on glaciers highlight evolutionary mechanism to overcome host defenses
Viruses are often thought of as a human problem, however they are the most abundant biological entities on the planet. There are millions of viruses in every teaspoon of river,...
Common species mirror rare animals' response to global change
A study of more than 2,000 species reveals animal populations around the world - from the very common to endangered species - are going up and down as global change...
Common sunscreen ingredients prove dangerous for freshwater ecosystems
The results show that long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) filters -- including avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octocrylene -- is lethal for some organisms living in freshwater environments. One of the largest...
Subtypes and developmental pathways of innate T cells identified
Study finds T cells differentiate into memory cells before meeting antigens - a clue to developing new immunotherapy.
New research shows lyrebirds move more litter and soil than any other digging animal
When you think of lyrebirds, what comes to mind may be the sound of camera clicks, chainsaws and the songs of other birds. While the mimicry of lyrebirds is remarkable,...
The impact of microplastics on soil organisms
A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in China and one in France has found that microplastics making their way into soil can lead to a decrease in the...
New study reveals migratory habits of teenage green turtles
Researchers and conservationists who have been tracking turtle migration for over a decade believe a new study highlights the need for investment and conservation of vital marine habitats which play...
Viruses could be harder to kill after adapting to warm environments
Enteroviruses and other pathogenic viruses that make their way into surface waters can be inactivated by heat, sunshine and other microbes, thereby reducing their ability to spread disease. But researchers...
Reviewing research about the evolution of complex cognition in birds
So far, the majority of studies investigating brain functions and intelligence have been carried out either on humans or animals that are known to be most similar to humans, such...
Eat more to grow more arms...if you're a sea anemone
Scientists have discovered that the number of tentacle arms a sea anemone grows depends on the amount of food it eats.
Open access resource provides most comprehensive library for biological protein interactions
Researchers looking for up to date information about protein interactions within cells will benefit from a new open source resource created by academics at the University of Reading.
Viruses could be harder to kill after adapting to warm environments
Enteroviruses and other pathogenic viruses that make their way into surface waters can be inactivated by heat, sunshine and other microbes, thereby reducing their ability to spread disease. But researchers...
Common, rare species equally vulnerable to climate change
New research suggests populations of common animals are just as likely as rare species to rise or fall in response to climate change.
Eat more to grow more arms… if you're a sea anemone
Your genetic code determines that you will grow two arms and two legs. The same fate is true for all mammals. Similarly, the number of fins a fish has and...
Scientists shed light on how praying mantises use the element of surprise to survive
A new study has for the first time illuminated the evolutionary history of the bizarre anti-predator defense—the praying mantis startle display—and suggests that the element of surprise may be key...
Ugandan gorillas in Bwindi park have 'baby boom'
Five baby gorillas are born in six weeks in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Curlew conservation project sees birds released at Lough Neagh
Five curlew fledglings are released near Lough Neagh after they were saved as eggs in late spring.
Common species mirror rare animals' response to global change
The populations of common animals are just as likely to rise or fall in number in a time of accelerating global change as those of rare species, a study suggests.
How to get the upper body of a burrowing frog
You might think the buffest frogs would be high jumpers, but if you want shredded pecs, you should train like a burrowing frog. Though famously round, these diggers are the...
Reef manta rays make long-term use of marine-protected areas
Marine animals are notoriously difficult to track, creating big gaps in how scientists understand their behavior and migration patterns—key insights for helping conserve important habitats. Researchers in Australia, using satellite...
How to get the upper body of a burrowing frog
If you want shredded pecs, you should train like a burrowing frog. Though famously round, these diggers are the unsung bodybuilders of the frog world.
Flamboyant cuttlefish save their bright patterns for flirting, fighting and fleeing
Don’t let the name fool you. Flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) look anything but flashy most of the time. Images and videos of the marine mollusks flashing bright purple and yellow hues litter the...
Scientists shed new light on pollen tube growth in plants
New insight on how an enzyme ensures the correct growth of pollen tubes in flowering plants has been published today in the open-access journal eLife.
Small fish populations accumulate harmful mutations that shorten lifespan
Population bottlenecks contribute to the accumulation of several harmful mutations that cause age-related illnesses in killifish—a finding that may help answer a key question about aging.
Eye of a fly: Researchers reveal secrets of fly vision for rapid flight control
By examining how fruit flies use eye movements to enhance flight control with a staggeringly fast reaction speed—about 30 times faster than the blink of an eye—Penn State researchers have...