Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Treatment For Hearing Loss? Scientists Grow Hair Cells Involved in Hearing
Scientists have successfully produced functional auditory hair cells in the cochlea of the mouse inner ear. The breakthrough suggests that a new therapy may be developed in the future to...
Warming may spread coral disease
Research has found that coral disease is more likely to attack reefs that are suffering from bleaching, which is associated with rising sea temperatures.
Jamaican lizards mark their territory with shows of strength at dusk and dawn
What does ageless fitness guru Jack LaLanne have in common with a Jamaican lizard?Like the LaLane, the lizards greet each day with vigorous push-ups. That's according to a new study...
Body May Reject Transplanted Human Embryonic Stem Cells
The much-ballyhooed human embryonic stem cell apparently may share a problem with transplanted organs: a high probability of rejection. [More]
One Form Of Adult Mouse Cell Transformed Directly Into Another; Insulin-producing Cells Created
In a feat of biological prestidigitation likely to turn the field of regenerative medicine on its head, researchers report having achieved what has long been a dream and ultimate goal...
"Major Leap" In Medical Cell Research
Scientists have transformed one type of ell into another in living mice, a big step toward the goal of growing replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases.
Unusual Ultrasonic Vocalization Patterns In Mice May Be Useful For Modeling Autism
Scientists have found novel patterns of ultrasonic vocalizations in a genetic mouse model of autism, adding a unique element to the available mouse behaviors that capture components of the human...
Black Raspberries Slow Cancer By Altering Hundreds Of Genes
New research strongly suggests that a mix of preventative agents, such as those found in concentrated black raspberries, may more effectively inhibit cancer development than single agents aimed at shutting...
Genetics: The production line
If more than 90% of the genome is 'junk' then why do cells make so much RNA from it? Anna Petherick goes in search of some answers.
Five Pit Bulls Cloned In South Korea
Bernann McKinney's pit bull "Booger" was cloned fivefold in South Korea, though critics warn against the dangers of cloning.
Thousands Of Rare Gorillas Found In Congo
Wildlife researchers said Tuesday that they've discovered 125,000 western lowland gorillas deep in the forests of the Republic of Congo, calling it a major increase in the animal's estimated population.
Protecting Your Identity: Be Proactive
Shoppers may have a slight pause when it comes to pulling out the plastic these days. Daniel Sieberg offers tips on what you can do to protect yourself from ID...
Scientists Create Stem Cells For Diseases
Harvard scientists produced stem cells for 10 genetic disorders, which will allow them to watch the diseases develop in a lab dish.
Chemical Warfare: Peppers Fight Fungus
Chiliheads who savor the kick of hot peppers are sampling one of the earliest examples of chemical warfare. In this case, it's a battle between the peppers and a type...
Humpback Whales On "Road To Recovery"
The humpback whale, nearly hunted into history four decades ago, is now on the "road to recovery" and is no longer considered at high risk of extinction, an environmental group.
Baby Whale Becomes Yacht's First Mate
The 1- to 2-month-old calf was first sighted Sunday in waters off north Sydney, and tried to suckle from a yacht, which it would not leave.
Stem Cells Used To Make Red Blood Cells
Scientists say they have found an efficient way to make red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells, a possible step toward making transfusion supplies in the laboratory.
Kids may be hardwired to 'share and share alike': study
Humans are selfish in earliest childhood but by the age of seven or eight are keen to share equally, a developmental change so sudden that it can only be explained,...
Age Research: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go
In a Nature Review, "Puzzles, promises and a cure for ageing", Buck Institute scientists Judith Campisi, PhD and Jan Vijg, PhD argue that there is no question human lifespan will...
Cocaine-induced brain plasticity may protect the addicted brain
A new study has unraveled some of the mysteries of the cocaine-addicted brain and may pave the way for the design of more effective treatments for drug addiction. The research,...
Natural selection: The evolution of cancer
Cancer cells vary; they compete; the fittest survive. Patrick Goymer reports on how evolutionary biology can be applied to cancer #20; and what good it might do.
Fragile Dead Sea Scrolls to go online
Israeli scientists on Wednesday unveiled a programme to put thousands of fragile fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls online, using infrared imaging to reveal previously illegible portions of the biblical...
Subliminal learning demonstrated in the human brain
Although the idea that instrumental learning can occur subconsciously has been around for nearly a century, it had not been unequivocally demonstrated. Now, a new study published by Cell Press...
Chronic Stress Alters Our Genetic Immune Response
In the journal Biological Psychiatry, researchers shed new light on one link between stress and illness by describing a mechanism through which stress alters immune function.
Genetic Predisposition May Play A Role In Anxiety Disorders
Finnish scientists have identified genes that may predispose to anxiety disorders. Some of the studied genes show a statistical association with specific anxiety disorders.
Alien plant threatens rare Scottish moth
EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- A rare Scottish moth, found only on two islands in the Hebrides, could fall victim to an invasive plant that is burying...
James Randerson: Can humans sense the Earth's magnetic field?
James Randerson: Very precise electro- magnetic stimulation can have some interesting and useful effects on the brain
Overfishing Pushes Baltic Cod to Brink of Economic Extinction
An ancient fishery collapses as human intervention pushes a valuable species to evolve into a smaller fish.