Latest science news in Biology & Nature
New genus of bacteria found living inside hydraulic fracturing wells
Ohio State University researchers and their colleagues have identified a new genus of bacteria living inside hydraulic fracturing wells. Researchers analyzing the genomes of microorganisms living in shale oil...
Brain circuit that drives sleep-wake states, sleep-preparation behavior is identified
Stanford University School of Medicine scientists have identified a brain circuit that's indispensable to the sleep-wake cycle. This same circuit is also a key component of the reward system, an...
Giraffes more speciose than expected
Scientists from the Senckenberg and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation have analysed the genetic relationships of all major populations of giraffe in the wild. The large study on the genetic makeup...
Study reveals how ionising radiation damages DNA and causes cancer
For the first time, researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and their collaborators have been able to identify in human cancers two characteristic patterns of DNA damage caused by...
The proteins that domesticated our genomes
EPFL scientists have carried out a genomic and evolutionary study of a large and enigmatic family of human proteins, to demonstrate that it is responsible for harnessing the millions of...
Are salmon sperm facials really good for your skin?
Med spas all over Los Angeles now offer what they call salmon DNA facials. Does the trendy social media-approved treatment actually work?
Called to the threshold, a death doula learns from the dying
Transitions and transformations can be fraught, even torturous. As a death doula, a big part of the work is sitting in that liminal space.
Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising
From long lines to a delayed start time and a finale concert with Doechii, here's everything that happened at the Nike After Dark tour at SoFi Stadium.
What is a mushroom really? Two titans of the wellness world duke it out
Paul Stamets and Jeff Chilton began as friends, their collaboration leading to the rise of medicinal mushroom supplements. Until they disagreed on one important thing: the definition of mushroom.
Measles on the rise in California: More cases so far this year than all of 2024
California has already reported more measles cases this year than in all of 2024, a worrisome development that comes as the nation is suffering its largest outbreak of the super-infectious...
Planes are having their GPS hacked. Could new clocks keep them safe?
How a new atomic clock might be the way to tackle attacks on plane GPS systems
Kew Gardens' Palm House will close for five years for major makeover
The 175-year-old glass house will begin a £50m renovation in 2027.
Tiny creatures gorge, get fat, and help fight global warming
Scientists find out how the epic deep sea migration of a tiny animal is storing planet-warming carbon.
Work begins to create artificial human DNA from scratch
Scientists start a controversial project to create the building blocks of human life, in what is thought to be a world first.
Tiny creatures gorge, get fat, and help fight global warming
Scientists find out how the epic deep sea migration of a tiny animal is storing planet-warming carbon.
Animals react to secret sounds from plants, say scientists
It opens up the possibility that an invisible ecosystem might exist between plants and animals.
Kew Gardens' Palm House will close for five years for major makeover
The 175-year-old glass house will begin a £50m renovation in 2027.
Watch first-of-its-kind robot elephant go bowling
Researchers have unveiled a miniature robot elephant with special 3D-printed "tissues" that allow for more complex and natural movements. A video shows the elephant grasp a flower with its trunk...
Best underwater cameras 2025 — take photos of marine and freshwater wildlife and fauna
The best cameras for marine observation, surveying and recording your underwater adventures — just in time for Prime Day.
Endurance athletes that carry Neanderthal genes could be held back from reaching their peak
A Neanderthal variant in an enzyme involved in energy production has been linked to a 50% lower probability of achieving elite athletic performance.
OM System OM-3 review — a camera for wildlife and astrophotographers alike?
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Scientists discover changes to the polar vortex that are plunging parts of US into deep freeze
When the polar vortex stretches, North America feels the chill. New research reveals some of the stratospheric patterns controlling these cold snaps.
Amazfit Helio smart ring review — Accurate sleep tracking without breaking the bank
The Amazfit Helio is a great budget-friendly alternative to the Oura Ring — as long as you can look past its short battery life and limited range of sizes.
Why do sharks freeze when flipped upside down?
Many shark species are temporarily paralyzed when turned upside down. But what benefit does this trait have?
Colugo: The 'flying lemur' that doesn't fly and isn't a lemur
This big-eyed rainforest mammal looks like a cross between a bat and a squirrel. It glides between treetops using a furry membrane that connects its limbs.
New pocket-size model of ALS 'breathes and flows like human tissue'
A stem-cell-based "organ-on-a-chip" model of ALS mimics early biological changes seen in the degenerative disease.
Study reveals hidden regulatory roles of 'junk' DNA
A new international study suggests that ancient viral DNA embedded in our genome, which were long dismissed as genetic "junk," may actually play powerful roles in regulating gene expression. Focusing...
Real milk proteins, no cows: Engineered bacteria pave the way for vegan cheese and yogurt
Bacteria are set to transform the future of dairy-free milk products. Scientists have successfully engineered E. coli to produce key milk proteins essential for cheese and yogurt production, without using...