Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Mussels To Determine How Much Contamination Is In The Ports
New research aimed at monitoring contamination of ports is using mussels to measure the levels of contaminants as they feed by filtering water and so accumulate any contaminant substances in...
Olfactory Fine-tuning Helps Fruit Flies Find Their Mates
Fruit flies fine-tune their olfactory systems by recalibrating the sensitivity of different odor channels in response to changing concentrations of environmental cues, a new study has shown. Disable this calibration...
Researchers Identify An Important Gene For A Healthy, Nutritious Plant
Biologists have found a gene required for both efficient photosynthesis and for iron metabolism, processes necessary for producing a healthy plant and a nutritious food source. This research is part...
Virus Behind Mysterious Parrot Disease Identified
Researchers have identified a virus behind the mysterious infectious disease that has been killing parrots and exotic birds for more than 30 years.
Autopsies Reveal Changes To DNA In Major Depression And Suicide
Autopsies usually point to a cause of death but now a study of brain tissue collected during these procedures, may explain an underlying cause of major depression and suicide. Scientists...
Gene-Hunters Find Hope and Hurdles in Schizophrenia Studies
Researchers hunting for schizophrenia genes on a larger scale than ever before have found new genetic variants that point toward a different understanding of the disease.
Formation of bird species questioned
Research has found that the three forms of crimson rosellas in Australia may not have formed by spreading and developing in a 'ring' pattern, as previously thought.
Sub-Saharan Africa news in brief: 17–31 July
Childhood cancer diagnosis low in Africa, South Africa ponders air pollution tax, goats attack Malawi seed programmes, and more.
Natural cartilage repair in mice studied
PORTLAND, Ore., July 31 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they're studying mice that can naturally regenerate cartilage to find ways to improve treatment of damaged human cartilage.
Study shows how insects breathe underwater
CAMBRIDGE, Ill., July 31 (UPI) -- Hundreds of insect species spend much of their time underwater looking for food and U.S. scientists have determined how such insects continue...
Plant Parasite 'Wiretaps' Host
A parasitic plant that sucks water and nutrients from its plant host also taps into its communications traffic, a new report finds. read more
Fish With Temperature-dependent Sex Determination: How Common Are They?
In vertebrates with separate sexes, sex determination can be genotypic or temperature-dependent (TSD). TSD is very common in reptiles, where the ambient temperature during sensitive periods of early development irreversibly...
New Yeast Trick For Eating Favorite Food
Bioengineers have identified a previously unknown mechanism that allows yeast to shut down the metabolism of another sugar, galactose, when they sense glucose in the environment.
Engineer Taps Heat-Loving Bacteria for Hydrogen
A North Carolina State University engineer has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to learn more about the microbiology, genetics and genomics behind how...
Redundant System Keeps Embryo in Stitches
(PhysOrg.com) -- A universal system in animal cells that plays a key role in wound-closure and embryonic development can be quickly replicated by other cells if the original system is...
P.E.I. says fish kills in rivers could be extensive
Decaying aquatic plants have caused a severe shortage of oxygen in at least 13 P.E.I. waterways and killed large numbers of fish, environment officials say, and they think the problem...
New Insights on the Evolution of Snake Fangs
Findings by an international team of scientists offer new clues to the origin of the extraordinary adaptation that allowed snakes to flourish in nearly every corner of the globe. ...
Brain's reaction to self-administered cocaine differs
New research has uncovered a fundamental cellular mechanism that may drive pathological drug-seeking behavior. The study, published by Cell Press in the July 31 issue of the journal Neuron, examines...
MicroRNA implicated as molecular factor in alcohol tolerance
In recent years, a class of small molecules known as microRNA have been found to play an important role in regulating gene products in most animal and plant species. A...
Complex clock combines calendars
Antikythera Mechanism may have timetabled ancient Olympic Games.
Pate With That? [News]
Something is new--under the moon, at least. Researchers have discovered a species of nocturnal ant with a unique taste for mushrooms. [More]
"Mythbusters" Seek Out Sharks
The Discovery Channel show's co-hosts explored the facts and myths surrounding sharks in their own, unique way, and filled in Harry Smith.
Scientists announce mouse sperm cryopreservation breakthrough
A team of Jackson Laboratory scientists have figured out a simple, cost-effective process to freeze mouse sperm and get it to achieve high fertilization rates with mouse eggs. The breakthrough...
Could Metals Help Treat Cancer?
A collaboration between chemists and biologists has made it possible to identify the effects of a new class of molecules, polyoxometalates, primarily composed of metals and oxygen. These molecules are...
New Book Explores Rare Wildflowers
In 2007, 273 plant species in the state of Kentucky were considered endangered or threatened and an additional 57 were listed under special concern. Capturing nearly all the state's flowers...
Using bumble bees to catch serial killers
Scientists from Queen Mary, University of London are helping to perfect a technique used to catch serial killers, by testing it on bumblebees. read more
Editorial: Unequal representation on the UK DNA database
Editorial: Used badly, a DNA database will harm the society it is supposed to protect
Take the innocent off DNA database, says inquiry
Ex-convicts' records should be erased as retaining profiles 'continues to criminalise them'