Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Flies Made to Live Longer
Tweaking certain genes causes female flies to make more offspring and live longer.
Misreading of damaged DNA may spur tumor formation
The DNA in our cells is constantly under assault from oxygen, the sun's radiation and environmental stresses. Most of the time, our cells can repair the damage before it gets...
11,000 alien species invade Europe
For the first time it is now possible to get a comprehensive overview of which alien species are present in Europe, their impacts and consequences for the environment and society....
Research Sheds Light On Benefits Of Multiple Mates
New research could explain why females of many species have multiple partners. Females of most species, including many mammals, mate with multiple partners. The driving forces for this practice, known...
IBM to build brain-like computers
A collaboration in the US is aiming to create artificial brain circuits that mimic the structure and workings of neurons.
Research maps out evolution of genders from hermaphroditic ancestors
Research from the University of Pittsburgh published in the 20 November edition of Heredity could finally provide evidence of the first stages of the evolution of separate sexes, a theory...
Formula For Predicting Climate Change Impact On Salmon Stocks Established
Scientists have found a way to accurately predict the impact of climate change on imperiled Pacific salmon stocks that could result in better management strategies.
Healthful Plant Nutrients Also Found In Meat And Milk
Counterintuitive as it may seem, those healthful phytoestrogen nutrients that consumers usually associate with fruits and vegetables also exist in foods of animal origin. After all, "phyto" means "plant." Now...
Discovery Of Giant Roaming Deep Sea Protist Provides New Perspective On Animal Evolution
Groove-like tracks on the ocean floor made by giant deep-sea single-celled organisms could lead to new insights into the evolutionary origin of animals, according to biologists.
Barrow scientists solve 200-year-old scientific debate involving visual illusions
Neuroscientists at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center have discovered a direct link between eye motions and the perception of illusory motion that solves a 200-year-old...
Brain reorganizes to make room for math
Between childhood and adulthood, neural map of the brain rearranges to conceptualize arithmetic
Scientists Eavesdrop On Wayward Dolphins
Federal scientists are eavesdropping on two pods of wayward dolphins to find out what they're hearing.
Precocious Elephant Dies, Zoo Mourns
An inquisitive Asian elephant known for being the largest of its kind born in captivity in the United States died at the Houston Zoo this week after suddenly contracting an...
Carbon Nanotubes Improve Protein Array Detection Limits
(PhysOrg.com) -- To detect cancer as early as possible, dozens of research groups are developing methods to detect trace levels of cancer-related proteins and genes in blood or other biological...
Vitamin B1 biosynthesis: Think Rubik's cube
(PhysOrg.com) -- A key enzyme in the biosynthesis of vitamin B1 has somehow evolved the ability to perform a complex series of some 15 to 20 steps, report two Cornell...
Researchers Study Drop in Duck Productivity
Southern Illinois University Carbondale research suggests ducks make intelligent choices about where and when to raise their young, even checking out neighborhoods for predators before deciding to breed.
Reef Madness
Big Red: This soft coral has branches of up to an inch long [shown here]. The animal, six inches tall and four inches wide, now lives in an aquarium at...
Regenerating a Mammoth for $10 Million
A new report suggests that a living mammoth could perhaps be regenerated from DNA extracted from clumps of the animal’s hair.
Scientist to bare his DNA
Here's some personal information about Misha Angrist: His blood pressure is 104 over 65. He weighs 173 pounds, has fought anxiety and depression and is very allergic to cats.
Gene required for radiation-induced protective pigmentation also promotes survival of melanoma cells
Scientists have new insight into the response of human skin to radiation and what drives the most aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer. The research, published by Cell Press...
Next Mars Mission: Contamination a Big Concern
High level of sensitivity makes contamination control challenging.
Toward healthier bread and other whole grain foods
Bread, pasta, and other foods made from whole grains - known to help protect against heart disease, cancer and diabetes - may get even healthier in the future. Scientists in...
Beetle Invasion to Dim New England Fall Colors?
A tree-devouring Asian beetle is encroaching on New England's forests, beloved for their brilliant autumn colors and maple syrup, experts say.
Fountain of Youth to be found in the anthill?
Aging - we are all doing it. It is relentless and terminal. Auguries and alchemists, mendicants and magicians, philosophers and science fiction writers, researchers and plastic surgeons have employed...
Microcapsules act as 'roach motel' to kill harmful bacteria
Researchers in New Mexico and Florida are reporting development of microscopic particles that act as chemical booby traps for bacteria. The traps attract and kill up to 95 percent of...
20 million to fight virtual crime and treat our ageing population
Fighting virtual crime, treating an ageing population, and turning research into commercial enterprises, will be the focus of a GBP20 million investment announced today by the Engineering and Physical Sciences...
China Fuels Illegal Wildlife Trade Across The Globe
Findings in several wildlife raids across the globe indicate China's involvement in strengthening illegal activities and hurting conservation goals. read more
Neurons Derived From Embryonic Stem Cells Restore Muscle Function After Injury
Researchers have discovered that embryonic stem cells may play a critical role in helping people with nerve damage and motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), regain muscular...