Latest science news in Biology & Nature
'Death stench' is universal warning signal
HAMILTON, Ontario, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Canadian scientists say they've discovered the smell of recent death that repels living relatives of insects is an ancient universal warning signal.
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....
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...
Worker Bees In 'Reproductive Class War' With Queen, New Research Discovers
Bee colonies are well known for high levels of cooperation, but new research demonstrates a conflict for reproduction between worker bees and their queens, leading some workers to selfishly exploit...
Chimps pack specialized tool kits, scientists say
Chimpanzees in the wild have developed specialized tool kits for foraging army ants, scientists now reveal.
Sharing the results of research critical to advancement of biological sciences
Sharing the fruits of research in the biomedical sciences is critical for the advance of knowledge, yet with the advent of large-scale data gathering following the completion of the genome...
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...
Yeast unravels effects of chemotherapy drugs
Until now, the mode of action of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (N-BP) cancer drugs, used to relieve bone pain and to prevent skeletal complications in bone metastasis, has been almost entirely unknown....
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.
Model backs green tea and lemon claim, lessens need to test animals
An animal study at Purdue University has shown that adding ascorbic acid and sugar to green tea can help the body absorb helpful compounds and also demonstrates the effectiveness of...
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.
Individual Cells Isolated From Biological Clock Can Keep Daily Time, But Are Unreliable
Researchers have shown that individual cells isolated from the biological clock can keep daily time all by themselves. However, by themselves, they are unreliable. The neurons get out of synch....
Complete Genomics deciphers 14 human genomes
Complete Genomics, a Mountain View, Calif., startup, has announced that it had deciphered 14 full human genomes for customers that include pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and leading medical research institutes, a...
Dwindling salmon stocks poorly managed: biologist
A B.C environmental organization says the low number of salmon returning to the province's waterways shows that not enough is being done by the government department responsible for the fish's...
Fish-Killing Toxin Could Kill Cancer Cells
A powerful fish-killing toxin could have cancer-killing properties as well, according to collaborative research led by Agricultural Research Service microbiologist Paul V. Zimba and chemist Peter Moeller of the U.S....
Potato famine pathogen packs unusual, sneaky genome
Quick-changing zones may be key to the microbe’s vexing adaptability
River flow and temperature limit trout numbers
Over a 23-year study, Javier Lobón-Cerviá has found the mechanism that controls the number of salmonids found each year in Cantabrian rivers. His method has been to monitor population numbers...
From Chicken Feathers to Flower Pots
Chicken feathers, usually an unwanted byproduct of poultry processing, may have a more valuable future as an ingredient in biodegradable flower pots, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist.
Visualizing brain processes with new techniques
(PhysOrg.com) -- The brain's magic is worked by neural circuits, where information is transmitted from one nerve cell to the next. In the heat of the summer, for example, our...
Scientists Use MicroRNAs To Track Evolutionary History For First Time
Scientists have used microRNA data to investigate the evolutionary relationships of annelids, which include earthworms, leeches and bristle worms, to show that this large animal group evolved as a single,...
FOR KIDS: Worm glue
A glue similar to the one made by sandcastle worms may one day paste together bones in the human body
Euthanized Animals Shouldn't be Fed to Addison's Dogs
One reason not to feed Addison's dogs commercial pet food: it contains euthanized animals. That's according to the FDA, who found samples of dog food contained pentobarbital, a drug...
Mobile DNA studied in British chimpanzees
LEICESTER, England, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- British scientists say they are using chimpanzees to study so-called mobile DNA that is found in the genomes of humans and other primates.