Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Fate of California condors unknown after sanctuary burns
A California wildfire has destroyed a sanctuary for the endangered California condor and the fates of several condors, including a chick, remain unknown.
Africa declared free of wild polio after four years without cases
The WHO Africa region was declared free of wild polio on Tuesday after four years without a case.
New tool for identifying endangered corals could aid conservation efforts
A newly developed genotyping 'chip' -- the first of its kind for corals -- allows researchers to genetically identify corals and the symbiotic algae that live within the coral's cells,...
Memory protein: Researchers uncover unusual glassy behavior in a disordered protein
When researchers sought to understand the mechanical behaviors of disordered proteins in the lab, they expected that after being stretched, one particular model protein would snap back instantaneously, like a...
N.C. lottery drawing comes up 9-9-9-9, leading to 1,303 winners
The North Carolina Education Lottery said there were a total 1,303 $5,000 top prize winners when the number combination 9-9-9-9 came up in a Carolina Pick 4 drawing.
Importance of rainfall highlighted for tropical animals
Imagine a tropical forest, and you might conjure up tall trees hung with vines, brightly colored birds, howling monkeys, and ... rain. Indeed, precipitation patterns, along with temperature, dictate where...
Scientists create protein models to explore toxic methylmercury formation
A team has created a computational model of the proteins responsible for the transformation of mercury to toxic methylmercury, marking a step forward in understanding how the reaction occurs and...
Single-cell RNA sequencing sheds new light on cancer cells' varied response to chemotherapy
Single-cell analysis, done in three colon cancer cell lines, is believed to be the first to profile transcriptome-level changes in response to DNA damage across individual cells.
To be or not to be in the ER, that is the question
Researchers discovered a new way cells can dispose of misfolded proteins that may help better understand human NGLY1 deficiency.
Study reveals two major microbial groups can't breathe
A new scientific study has revealed unique life strategies of two major groups of microbes that live below Earth's surface. A publication in Frontiers in Microbiology reports that these groups,...
Video is not always effective in science communication, study suggests
Audiences shown a video about coral reefs had less willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation than when shown a slideshow of texts and photographs. The findings suggest the importance of...
Researchers reveal molecular structures involved in plant respiration
All plants and animals respire, releasing energy from food. At the cellular level, this process occurs in the mitochondria. But there are differences at the molecular level between how plants...
Researchers uncover unusual glassy behavior in a disordered protein
When UC Santa Barbara materials scientist Omar Saleh and graduate student Ian Morgan sought to understand the mechanical behaviors of disordered proteins in the lab, they expected that after being...
New study shows evolutionary breakdown of 'social' chromosome in ants
Scientists have found that harmful mutations accumulating in the fire ant social chromosome are causing its breakdown.
Computer modeling used to predict reef health
A researcher has developed a way to predict the future health of the planet's coral reefs. He has been studying the ecosystems of the world's endangered reefs.
Accumulating extra genome copies may protect fly brain cells during aging
Scientists have discovered a novel anti-aging defense in the brain cells of adult fruit flies: producing extra copies of the genome, according to a new study.
Study shines new light on how young tree seedlings develop
The first few weeks of a tree seedling's life can be the most precarious.
Study revealing structure of a protein complex may open doors to better disease research
More than two decades ago scientists discovered the Arp2/3 complex, an actin (cellular protein) cytoskeketal nucleator which plays a crucial role in cell division, immune response, neurodevelopment other biological processes....
Before eyes open, they get ready to see?
A research team's computational simulations demonstrated that the waves of spontaneous neural activity in the retinas of still-closed eyes in mammals develop long-range horizontal connections in the visual cortex during...
Plant living with only one leaf reveals fundamental genetics of plant growth
Clinging to the walls of tropical caves is a type of plant with a single leaf that continues to grow larger for as long as the plant survives. Researchers hope...
Scientists catalogue shark and ray distribution in Florida lagoon
A study is the first long-term, in-depth analysis of the elasmobranch community in Florida's Indian River Lagoon and develops capacity to understand how these species may respond to further environmental...
New tool for identifying endangered corals could aid conservation efforts
Coral conservation efforts could get a boost from a newly developed genotyping "chip"—the first of its kind for corals. The chip allows researchers to genetically identify corals and the symbiotic...
A case for botanical gardens to lead in global plant crisis
The world is experiencing a sixth global mass extinction event, and a new paper advocates that botanical gardens are uniquely positioned to preserve the world's plant diversity.
Researchers discover a new way cells can dispose of misfolded proteins
During the process of cellular protein synthesis mistakes can happen. Sometimes, proteins end up being misfolded. They do not shape up into the specific 3-D structure that is required for...
Enzyme prisons: Cell signaling with just one molecule
A team at the Max Dellbruck Center has answered a question that has puzzled scientists for some 40 years. In the journal Cell, the group explains how cells are able...
Scientists catalogue shark and ray distribution in Florida lagoon
Many elasmobranch species, which include sharks, skates, and rays, use estuaries as nurseries, for birthing, and as foraging grounds. Florida's Indian River Lagoon is one of 28 estuaries designated as...
Pots of gold engineered to help with early disease detection
Researchers have developed biosensors that use nanoengineered porous gold which more effectively detect early signs of disease, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Two major microbial groups living deep underground can't breathe
A new scientific study has revealed unique life strategies of two major groups of microbes that live below Earth's surface. These groups, originally thought to rely on symbiotic relationships with...