Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Genetic Study Provides New Insights Into Molecular Basis Of Language Development
Scientists have identified the first gene that is associated with a common childhood language disorder, known as specific language impairment (SLI). The gene -- CNTNAP2 -- has also been recently...
First African, Asian, and Woman Get Full Genome Map
Geneticists announced last week in the journal Nature that they have sequenced the complete set of DNA for three people—a Nigerian man, a Chinese man, and a Caucasian woman with...
Scientists ID stem cell compounds
LA JOLLA, Calif., Nov. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have identified compounds for stem cell production from adult cells, moving medicine closer to the reprogramming of...
Scientists first to sequence genome of cancer patient
For the first time, scientists have decoded the complete DNA of a cancer patient and traced her disease - acute myelogenous leukaemia - to its genetic roots. A large research...
Research sheds light on key trigger of embryonic stem cell differentiation
Clusters of mouse embryonic stem cells called embryoid bodies more closely approximate true embryos in organisation and structure than previously thought, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of...
Mitochondria Could Be a Target for Therapeutic Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease
A study in the Sept. 21 on-line edition of Nature Medicine describes the function and interaction of a critical molecule involved in cell death in Alzheimer’s disease patients. These new...
How Tuberculosis Might Be Thwarting Immune System: Proteomics Study Yields Clues
A link between the immune system and the self-cleaning system by which biological cells rid themselves of obsolete or toxic parts may one day yield new weapons in the fight...
Personal genomes: The case of the missing heritability
When scientists opened up the human genome, they expected to find the genetic components of common traits and diseases. But they were nowhere to be seen. Brendan Maher shines a...
European Union Floats Tighter Animal Research Rules
Proposal would ban medical research on great apes and extend oversight to most animal studies
Island Invaders: Infect and Conquer
A disease carried by black rats spelled the end for two endemic species on Christmas Island
Dopamine is key to a parasite`s ability to unite rat and cat, researcher says
(PhysOrg.com) -- Who knew cat urine could be sexy? With a dab here and a dab there, you can have male rats swooning over you.
African, Asian join the library of genomics
Laboratories have for the first time sequenced the full genetic code of an African and an Asian in what amounts to a major step towards the goal of a tailor-made...
Most human genes found to make isoforms
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've found nearly all human genes produce varying forms of the same protein, depending on the tissue in which...
Masters of Disguise
Animals use camouflage to hide from and confuse predators and prey. For some such animals, their natural appearance mimics, matches, and fades into their surroundings. Others actively shift shape, texture...
Anesthetics found to trigger arrhythmias
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. and German researchers using a new animal model of genetic mutations say they've discovered some common anesthetics trigger arrhythmias in humans.
Argentine cow clones may help boost milk output
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine scientists have found a way to make cows produce more milk by injecting them with a bovine growth hormone produced by cloned and genetically modified...
Computer finds molecules causing diseases
NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have created an algorithm that can identify genes and proteins most likely to cause complex diseases such as...
Exercisers face the challenge of dark times
This time of year tries runners' souls as much as their soles, and the same goes for cyclists and walkers. Really, almost anyone who exercises outdoors in the fall and...
Good fit, trial period critical for effective hearing aids
For some, the sound is that of crickets chirping, for others it's bacon frying, or even a high-pitched ringing sound.
Fungus Pitted Against Apple Pest
A cocktail of gaseous compounds emitted by a beneficial fungus may offer a way to biologically fumigate stored apples, ridding them of codling moth larvae.
The Post-Election Edition
There may be hope for those who suffer from avatar gender confusion, and exciting news for people who thought those jackets with built-in headphone holders were the height of tech...
‘Natural Killer’ Immune Cells Reveal Factors For Reproductive Success
Immune cells known as natural killer (NK) cells are linked with pregnancy problems including pre-eclampsia and recurrent miscarriage. Scientists are illuminating the role that pregnancy-related NK cells play in moderating...
Great Apes Debate leads to EU testing ban proposal
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe's environment chief plans to ban laboratory tests on mankind's closest relatives -- chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and orangutans -- in a clampdown on animal testing by the...
Jumonjd3: A Key For Unlocking Neuronal Stem Cell Fate
A novel role for the protein, Jumonjd3, as an epigenetic modulator in the neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem cells, has recently been uncovered -- a step forward in the understanding...
How the plant cell synthesises the pharmaceutical compounds?
VTT's Research Scientist Suvi Haekkinen (MSc, Tech) has studied in her thesis alkaloid biosynthesis and metabolism in two Solanaceae plants, tobacco and Egyptian henbane. The studies bring new information about...
DNA breakthrough on 1946 murder
Scientists working on the case of a 12-year-old girl raped and shot dead 62 years ago obtain a family DNA profile of her killer.
DNA Provides 'Smoking Gun' in the Case of the Missing Songbirds
DNA evidence shows conclusively that males from a North American warbler species interbred with females from a related species and took over a large part of the other species'...
Homosexual Beetle Activity Offers Reproductive Edge
Among flour beetles, male homosexuality can up the chances of reproducing with the opposite sex, a new study finds.