Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Eight ways to repel insects without bug spray
Neither bugs nor the chemical smell of commercial repellent are invited to this relaxing evening by the water. (Julie Rotter/Unsplash/)This story was originally featured on Outdoor Life.Unless you’re an entomologist (and on the...
North Korea decries Japan’s ‘bad habits’ after white paper released
North Korea is slamming the Japanese government following the release of a defense white paper that claimed Pyongyang has the capability to launch a nuclear attack against Japan.
Second Coronavirus Strain May Be More Infectious--but Some Scientists Are Skeptical
Researchers question whether a mutated viral strain that infected more cells in a lab dish is necessarily more transmissible among humans -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Rare twin red-ruffed lemurs born at Singapore zoo
Twin red-ruffed lemurs have been born at Singapore zoo, officials said Thursday, a rare double delivery that is a boost for the endangered saucer-eyed primates.
When should you neuter your dog to avoid health risks?
Some dog breeds have higher risk of developing certain cancers and joint disorders if neutered or spayed within their first year of life. Until now, studies had only assessed that...
'Bystander' Cs meet their match in gene-editing technique
Biomolecular engineers have developed new tools to increase the accuracy of CRISPR single-base editing to treat genetic diseases.
When should you neuter your dog to avoid health risks?
A new, 10-year study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, examined 35 dog breeds and found vulnerability from neutering, and the age at which they are neutered, varies...
Study first to show tiger sharks' travels and desired hangouts in the Gulf of Mexico
From 2010 to 2018, scientists tagged 56 tiger sharks of varying life stages to track their movements via satellite. Movement patterns varied by life stage, sex, and season. Some of...
Scientists uncover key process in the manufacture of ribosomes and proteins
Researchers have shown that an enzyme called RNA polymerase (Pol) II drives generation of the building blocks of ribosomes, the molecular machines that manufacture all proteins in cells based on...
Molecular 'tails' are secret ingredient for gene activation in humans, yeast, and other organisms
Researchers have discovered how diverse forms of life are able to use the same cellular machinery for DNA transcription.
Slow growth the key to long term cold sensing
Plants have to interpret temperature fluctuations over timescales ranging from hours to months to align their growth and development with the seasons.
Invasive hedgehogs and ferrets habituate to and categorize smells
To catch a thief, the saying goes, you have to think like a thief. The same is true for invasive predators: to foil their depredations on native wildlife, scientists have...
'Bystander' cytosines meet their match in gene-editing technique
Biomolecular engineers at Rice University have found a C-worthy technique that dramatically enhances the accuracy of gene editing.
Scientists constructed 'DNA droplets' comprising designed DNA nanostructures
In living organisms, DNA is the storage unit of all genetic information. It is with this information that proteins are encoded, which then enable biological systems to function as needed...
Bacteria found in an office sink expand repertoire of microbial metabolism
Researchers identify novel bacteria that power their metabolism by oxidizing manganese
Coumarin compounds from oak barrels could contribute to bitter taste in wine and spirits
Wine and spirits are complex mixtures of flavor and aroma compounds, some of which arise during aging in wooden barrels. Among other compounds, oak wood releases coumarins, but how they...
Sun and rain transform asphalt binder into potentially toxic compounds
Chemists show that asphalt binder, when exposed to sun and water, leaches thousands of potentially toxic compounds into the environment.
How flies flip around on take-off from an upside- down position
Flies are able to right themselves very quickly when taking off from an upside-down position. Scientists studying this phenomenon discovered the surprising way these insects begin by turning their bodies...
In one hour, surface coating inactivates virus that causes COVID-19
Researchers have developed a surface coating that, when painted on common objects, inactivates SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Two new species of parasite discovered in crabs: Discovery will help prevent infection of other marine species
Swansea University researchers have discovered two new species of parasite, previously unknown to science, in crabs in Swansea Bay, during a study on disease in the Celtic and Irish Seas.
Movements of tiger sharks at varying life stages tracked in Gulf of Mexico
A tracking study of 56 sharks provides a first look at how their patterns of movement across the Gulf of Mexico vary according to their sex, their life stage, and...
Marine drifters: Interdisciplinary study explores plankton diversity
Ocean plankton are the drifters of the marine world. They include algae, animals, bacteria, and protists that are at the mercy of the tide and currents. Many are microscopic, though...
Researchers develop first of its kind, simple test for identifying toxic silver ions
Chemistry researchers at the University of North Texas have developed a test to more easily identify toxic silver ions, which can be harmful to humans and the environment at high...
Watch: Rare and smelly corpse flower blooms in Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania botanical garden is celebrating the blooming of a rare and particularly pungent plant known as a corpse flower.
Study reveals interesting differences between nobles, commoners in Denmark, Italy
A chemical analysis of bones from Danes and Italians from the Middle Ages revealed interesting clues on how they lived, particularly in the differences between noble families and less fortunate.
How flies flip around on take-off from an upside- down position
Flies are able to right themselves very quickly when taking off from an upside-down position. Scientists from the CNRS and from The Institute of Movement Science (ISM) at Aix-Marseille Université...
Ancient oyster shells provide historical insights
Scientists studying thousands of oyster shells along the Georgia coast, some as old as 4,500 years, have published new insights into how Native Americans sustained oyster harvests for thousands of...
For chimpanzees, salt and pepper hair not a marker of old age
Silver strands and graying hair is a sign of aging in humans, but things aren't so simple for our closest ape relatives --the chimpanzee. A new study found graying hair...