Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Oil And Wildlife Don't Mix In Ecuador's Eden
What harm can a simple road do in a pristine place such as Ecuador's Yasuni National Park, home to peccaries, tapirs, monkeys and myriad other wildlife species? A great deal,...
Endothelin Receptor May Play Role In Sickle Cell Pain
Endothelin may play a role in the pain of sickle cell disease because of a change in the endothelin B receptor. The activated receptor releases endorphins to help alleviate pain....
Scientist modify dandelions for latex
AACHEN, Germany, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A fungus killing rubber trees in Southeast Asia and South Africa is forcing scientists to re-examine latex from dandelions, German researchers said.
Evolution Coup: Study Reveals How Plants Protect Their Genes
Unlike animals and humans, plants can't run and hide when exposed to stressful environmental conditions. So how do plants survive? A new study has found a key mechanism that enables...
A Boy For Every Girl? Not Even Close: Scientists Trace Evolution Of Butterflies Infected With Deadly Bacteria
In a perfect world, for every boy there would of course be a girl, but a new study shows that actual sex ratios can sometimes sway very far from that...
UCSB Scientists Create Cancer-Stopping Nanoparticle-and-Laser Treatment
Nanotechnology, lasers, genetics, and cancer? If there was also something about space, this story might have been a PopSci full house. Scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), have figured out...
Tweeting, more than just self expression
From CNN to Ashton Kutcher everyone is tweeting. In ads, many companies now display the logo of an animated blue bird holding a sign that says 'follow me.'...
Study Reveals Unexpected Ancient Cellular Structure
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists at North Carolina State University have effectively lifted the veil from the structure of an ancient and important RNA-protein complex essential for the biosynthesis and function of...
Tiny fish scores big victory for endangered species
Environmentalists say they have won an important legal victory to protect endangered species across Canada, all because of a tiny fish known as the Nooksack dace, an endangered species no...
Wilson, Watson reflect on past trials, future directions
If they could do it all over again, two of the 20th century’s greatest biologists would study the brain and the vast, unknown world of prokaryotes — the bacteria that are all...
Science-based Octopussery Management
I love it! As soon as I start whining about how humans are always exploiting resources without checking first for sustainability, along comes a story to prove me wrong. The...
Scientists get funding to help tackle one of biology's greatest challenges
Scientists at the University of Essex could help address one of biology's greatest challenges, thanks to GBP53,000 of funding from The Royal Society...
First Russian fishery certified as sustainable
Iturup Island fishery is the first in Russia to be awarded the Marine Stewardship Council label and the first salmon fishery to be certified since Alaska...
Beans' defences mean bacteria get evolutionary helping hand
Bean plants' natural defences against bacterial infections could be unwittingly driving the evolution of more highly pathogenic bacteria, according to new research published today (10 September) in Current Biology...
Changing the course of nature: Are fisheries directing the evolution of fish populations?
For many of the types of fish we buy in stores or order in restaurants, the chance that an individual dies from fishing is several times higher than dying of...
A new protein partnership that leads to paediatric tumour regression
Why are some paediatric cancers able to spontaneously regress? Prof. Michael Fainzilber and his team of the Weizmann Institute's Biological Chemistry Department seem to have unexpectedly found part of the...
Scientists trace evolution of butterflies infected with deadly bacteria
LIVERPOOL, UK -- 10 September 2009: Scientists at the University of Liverpool have traced the evolution of a species of tropical butterfly, infected with a bacterium that kills males,...
DNA pioneer appeals for cuts to criminal database
British scientist Alec Jeffreys realized 25 years ago Thursday that individuals have "DNA fingerprints," unique patterns of genetic material that can be used to identify them.
NEW SPECIES PHOTOS: "Fast Talking" Frog, Dolphin Found
A meat-eating marsupial, a purring frog, and the first new dolphin species in three decades are among at least 1,300 plant and animal species discovered in Australia since 1999, a new report says.
Getting Better Visualization Of Joint Cartilage Through Cationic CT Contrast Agents
A new computer tomography (CT) contrast agent for visualizing the spatial distribution of glycosaminoglycans -- the anionic sugars that account for the strength of joint cartilage -- was found by...
Graffiti-free Historic Buildings: Breathable Coating Provides Protection
Many a historic landmark is defaced with graffiti, but the spray paint can only be removed – if at all – using caustic solutions which risk damaging the underlying surface....
The Value of Being Aloof: Or, How Not to Get Absorbed in Someone Else’s Abdomen
Male anglerfish are born with an innate desire to not exist. As soon as a male reaches maturity, he acquires an urge to find a female, sink his teeth into...
Silk spinner makes droplets
Researchers have found that an Australian insect produces silk as a liquid droplet that dries – a method that might be easy to copy.
RNAs taking center stage
RNAs, serving as a mere intermediary between DNA and proteins, were long regarded as a poor relation by researchers, attracting little interest. However, following the discovery of small RNAs known...
Skin Deep: Removing the Web of Spider Veins
Although spider veins are usually not considered a serious medical condition, experts say they indicate other underlying venous issues, including a sluggish circulatory system.
Judge Rules Wolf Hunts in Rockies Can Proceed
Four months after gray wolves were removed from the endangered species list, a judge denied a request by environmentalists to stop the hunts.
Miami Beach’s Sea Turtles Threatened by Its People
The turtles face many challenges because they must share their breeding ground with throngs of beachgoers.
Melanosome Dynamics And Sensitivity Of Melanoma Cells To Chemotherapy
Manipulating the functions of melanosomes -- the organelles in pigment-producing cells -- may enhance the activity of anticancer drugs used against melanoma, according to a new study.