Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Platypus could solve mammal mysteries
An international team of scientists have sequenced the platypus genome, which could aid conservation efforts and explain mysteries of human evolution.
Training natives to fear cane toads
New research suggests that exposing native animals to smaller cane toads could teach them to stay away from the pests, before more dangerous invaders arrive.
New finding may explain some hearing loss
MEMPHIS, May 12 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists said their findings about how sounds are amplified in the inner ear might explain how genetic mutation or drug overdose hearing...
Beekeepers Report Continued Heavy Losses From Colony Collapse Disorder
The Agricultural Research Service and the Apiary Inspectors of America have conducted a combined survey of beekeepers to get a snapshot of how well managed colonies made it through the...
Prions Show Their Good Side
Prions, the infamous agents behind mad cow disease and its human variation, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, also have a helpful side. New research shows that normally functioning prions prevent neurons from working...
Superbug Genome Sequenced: Steno Has Remarkable Capacity For Drug Resistance
The genome of a newly-emerging superbug, commonly known as Steno, has just been sequenced. The results reveal an organism with a remarkable capacity for drug resistance. The research was carried...
Genetic 'Tag Team' Keeps Cells On Cycle
By surveying the activity of thousands of genes at several different time points, researchers have uncovered new evidence that a network of influential genes act as a kind of genetic...
Molecular Espionage Shows A Single HIV Enzyme's Many Tasks
Using ingenious molecular espionage, scientists have found how a single key enzyme, seemingly the Swiss army knife in HIV's toolbox, differentiates and dynamically binds both DNA and RNA as part...
Model Successfully Predicts Large River System Fish Diversity
While scientists have developed methods to predict aspects of fish diversity in specific river locations, a model to understand what factors may drive a comprehensive suite of fish biodiversity patterns...
Does the brain control muscles or movements?
One of the major scientific questions about the brain is how it can translate the simple intent to perform an action—say, reach for a glass—into the dynamic, coordinated symphony of...
Researchers find neuroblastoma genes
BOSTON (Reuters) - An international team of researchers said they have pinpointed three variants of the genetic code that appear to set the stage for aggressive neuroblastoma, the deadliest solid...
MicroRNAs appear essential for retinal health
Retinas in newborn mice appear perfectly fine without any help from tiny bits of genetic material called microRNAs except for one thing — the retinas do not work.
You're Not Cuckoo: These Birds Look the Same
Researchers figure out why cuckoos and sparrowhawks are so easily mistaken
Researchers Tackling Unsolved Questions About Protein Structures
A University of Arizona research team is exploring the evolutionary origins of protein structures. Their findings will help people better understand how proteins evolved to carry out the instructions encoded...
New study analyzes why endangered parrot population isn't recovering
The population of wild Puerto Rican parrots, among the most endangered birds in the world, has languished for decades, with several dozen remaining birds unable to break through the bottleneck...
URI entomologist predicts early tick season, high infection rate
A University of Rhode Island tick expert believes that several ecological factors are likely to make 2008 a big year for ticks and disease, so he advises Rhode Islanders to...
Researchers study bacterium big enough to see -- the Shaquille O'Neal of bacteria
Well, perhaps not quite Shaquille O'Neal. But it is Shaq-teria. The secret to an unusual bacterium's massive size -- it's the size of a grain of salt, or a million...
HP labs director seeks more help from academia
(AP) -- Trying to boost the output of its research labs, Hewlett-Packard Co. wants to get more help from scientists in universities.
Plants' Flavonoids Have Beneficial Effect On Alzheimer's Disease, Study In Mice Suggests
A new study in mice suggests molecules in plants may have beneficial effects on Alzheimer's disease. Researchers administered molecules called flavonoids, which are found in certain fruits and vegetables, to...
Large mammal species live harder, die out faster
Throughout Earth`s history, species have come and gone, being replaced by new ones that are better able to cope with life`s challenges. But some species last longer than others, while...
Cell biology: The cellular hullabaloo
The inner life of a cell is noisy. Helen Pearson discovers how the resulting randomness makes life more challenging #20; and richer.
Researchers gather autistic-related DNA
MONTREAL, May 7 (UPI) -- Canadian and U.S. scientists say they're creating an autistic DNA database involving cases in which there is only one family member with autism.
$227 million in grants going to build California stem cell labs
UCLA, USC and UC Irvine are among a dozen research centers getting the money. ...
Eavesdropping on whales to avoid ship strikes
Ship strikes are the top human-related cause of death for these mammals. But new technology could soon help safeguard the whales by using sound, not sight, to track the creatures'...
'Sex pest' seal attacks penguin
A misguided seal is recorded attempting the most extreme case of mammal mating behaviour yet observed.
Rallying cry from frog stronghold
Conservationists need help in ensuring amphibians thrive in their natural strongholds in the south of Scotland.
Joy over India tiger cubs births
Fourteen tiger cubs are spotted in an Indian reserve, in a rare boost to halt the decline in their numbers.
Cod fall may speed 'toxic tide'
Declining fish stocks could be partially responsible for algal blooms in parts of the oceans, researchers find.