Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Simian Foamy Virus Found To Be Widespread Among Chimpanzees
Simian foamy virus is widespread among wild chimpanzees throughout equatorial Africa. Recent studies have shown that humans who hunt wild primates, including chimpanzees, can acquire SFV infections. Since the long-term...
Nature Reserves Attract Humans, But At A Cost To Biodiversity
Countering a perception that establishing nature reserves in developing nations drives away local communities, a new study finds that human settlements are actually drawn to protected areas in Africa and...
Wild Orangutans Declining More Sharply In Sumatra And Borneo Than Thought
Endangered wild orangutan populations are declining more sharply in Sumatra and Borneo than previously estimated, according to new findings. Although other threats to orangutan survival exist, such as hunting in...
A tomato by any other name? Experts set food rules
GENEVA (Reuters) - Food safety experts agreed for the first time on the qualities defining a tomato, in a first step toward an international code on preventing fruit and vegetable...
Creating a second genetic code
Scientists have created artificial DNA strands that could form a new biological data storage system
New West Nile virus strain may worsen epidemic
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new strain of West Nile virus is spreading better and earlier across the United States, and may thrive in hot American summers, researchers said on Thursday.
Japan Sees a Chance to Promote Its Energy-Frugal Ways
Japan’s single-minded dedication to reducing energy use, which dates to the 1970s, has given it the potential to play a rare leadership role on a pressing global issue.
Mountaineering not just for high risks
Mountaineers enjoy the effect of their sport on their identities and notions of what their lives are about, not just for the thrills of risk taking, according to research.
Deal Is Struck in Montana to Preserve Forest Areas
A huge patchwork of privately owned forest in northwest Montana will be permanently protected from development.
Observatory: In Sleep, We Are Birds of a Feather
Did you sleep like a baby last night? You might think so, but actually you slept like a bird.
Travellers to Africa risk deadly form of malaria
Rising numbers of migrants travelling between UK and Africa mistakenly believe they are immune to the disease
New study points to agriculture in frog sexual abnormalities
A farm irrigation canal would seem a healthier place for toads than a ditch by a supermarket parking lot. But University of Florida scientists have found the opposite is true....
VIDEO: Vermont-to-Caribbean Connection
Every year a Vermont researcher follows another of the state's residents to the Caribbean: the Bicknell thrush, a small migratory bird.
Parasite vaccines within reach
Even though parasites are complex creatures, the mammalian immune response to them is surprisingly simple, leading University of California, Berkeley, researchers to predict that creating vaccines for parasitic diseases such...
New tracking system boosts pilot safety
Pilots will no longer be out of sight as they fly cross-country thanks to a new tracking system developed by Massey University mechatronics graduate and a former staff member.
GoLive2 Introduces a Wiimote for PC Games
For all Wii-lovers out there, GoLive2 has recently announced the Stix, a motion-sensing remote control that can be used to play PC games.
Rabbits, Mice And Prickly Shrubs Help Establish Natural Diversity
Small mammals, such as rabbits and mice, play a major role in the development of natural diversity. Biologists researched how scrub becomes established in natural grassland. It seems that prickly...
Statins Have Unexpected Effect On Pool Of Powerful Brain Cells
Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins have a profound effect on an elite group of cells known as glial progenitor cells that are important to brain health as we age, scientists...
"Immune Buildings" Designed to Combat Chemical Warfare and Diseases
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) have opened a new engineering lab to design a ventilation system that could protect schools, hospitals, and other public buildings from...
Many ideas on how to get dolphins out of NJ river
(AP) -- Trapping them in giant cages. Using enormous nets to herd them out to sea. Playing recordings of killer whales.
Researchers identify tumor suppressor that manages cellular cleaning and recycling proceses
Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have identified a specific tumor suppressor that manages membrane traffic routes for cellular cleaning and recycling.
Birds identify eggs by colour
Birds can use colour to identify the eggs of 'parasite' birds, such as cuckoos, from their own and eject them from their nests, new research has discovered.
Site helps sustainable eating
A new site will help people maintain sustainable diets, by encouraging them to eat native meats, such as kangaroo and emu, and only in season fruit and vegetables.
What Are the Origins of Famous Patriotic Songs?
You may know the lyrics to these popular patriotic tunes. But you may be surprised to learn about how they began.
New mate for lonely elephant beetle after banana boat ride
A worldwide search uncovers a mate for a lonely giant elephant beetle which arrived in Britain in a banana load.
Arms embargo hurts Ivorian fishing
Ivory Coast calls on the UN to lift an arms embargo that hampers its efforts to tackle illegal fishing.
Mass. lobstermen promote practices as whale safe
(AP) -- New green rubber bands that will bind the claws of Massachusetts lobsters beginning this weekend won't save the lobsters from the dinner table. But they signify a...
Interview: Model membranes
Patricia Bassereau tells Michael Brown about the importance of the membrane in cellular functions