Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Researchers overcome challenges to collect new typhoon observations
As field researchers know, sometimes the science you set out to do is not what you end up doing. But the drive for knowledge is unwavering, and scientists find a...
The dawn of a new era for genebanks
Biodiversity goes beyond species diversity. Another important aspect of biodiversity is genetic variation within species. A notable example is the immense variety of cultivars and landraces of crop plants and...
Fin whale, mountain gorilla populations rise amid conservation action
The fin whale and mountain gorilla populations grew significantly due to efforts by conservationists to halt their descent towards extinction, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said Wednesday.
When boy fish build castles to impress girls, boy genes get 'turned on' and 'tuned in'
Call it instinct, but something compels some animals to behave in certain ways, perhaps programs in their genes. Researchers have directly connected activities of genes with instinctive behavior in little...
Rare conservation win: Mountain gorilla population ticks up
There are more gorillas in the mist—a rare conservation success story, scientists say.
Identification of mechanisms of pesticide resistance in cattle ticks
The cattle tick is controlled by pesticides, invariably leading to the selection of resistant strains. In Brazil, this parasite is currently resistant to a greater or lesser extent to all...
'Humongous fungus': 25 years later, this Armillaria gallica is bigger than first thought, says researcher
A giant individual of the fungus, Armillaria gallica, or honey mushroom, first studied 25 years ago by James B. Anderson, a professor emeritus of biology at the University of Toronto...
Studying Komodo dragons to better understand reduced dispersal in island species
A team of researchers from Australia, Indonesia, Italy and Denmark has learned more about Komodo dragons in their search to better understand reduced island dispersal in island species. In their...
'Conservation successes' bring hope for mountain gorilla
Mountain gorilla: Conservation efforts appear to be paying off for large, charismatic animals.
Open database encapsulates worldwide knowledge of human metabolism
An international research consortium, spearheaded by the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) of the University of Luxembourg, has developed a database that is unique in the world: the Virtual...
Moving forward with microplastics research
Microplastics have been recorded in a range of zooplankton species, and they are already causing problems for these tiny - but vitally important - animals, even before the plastic particles...
Invisible Stew of Plastic Pollution Found in Fur Seal Poop
First humans, now seals: Microplastics are in everyone's digestive tract.
This Octogenarian Is the Oldest Fish in Captivity. And She Likes Belly Rubs.
The world's oldest fish lives a comfortable life at the Steinhart Aquarium in California.
First microarrayed 3-D neuronal culture platform developed
Neuronal development is often regulated by the graded distribution of guidance molecules, which can either attract or repel the neuronal migration or neurite projection when presented in a format of...
Electro-sensing ability of African elephantnose fish shows acuteness of vision
The African elephantnose fish generates weak electrical pulses to navigate its environment. This localization sense bears an astonishing similarity to vision, as a study by the University of Bonn now...
Migration critical to survival of dolphin populations, genetic study shows
An analysis of dolphin genes has revealed information about their past migrations, showing just how crucial migrants might be for other populations.
Sound-absorbent wings and fur help some moths evade bats
Tiny ultrathin scales on some moth wings absorb sound waves sent out by bats on the hunt.
Big jobs: Safety, planning key to increasing production performance at Spallation Neutron Source
For many species, winter serves as a time to rest and recuperate to return stronger in the year ahead. In many respects, so is it also for certain large-scale science...
Trying to bridge the 'genomic divide': Lack of Indigenous data a challenge for researchers
Problems are inherent in using genetic databases to unearth Indigenous ancestry, but efforts are underway to help Indigenous students acquire skills and knowledge that would help them move into advisory...
Synthetic DNA-delivered antibodies protect against Ebola in preclinical studies
Scientists have successfully engineered novel DNA-encoded monoclonal antibodies (DMAbs) targeting Zaire Ebolavirus that were effective in preclinical models. Study results showed that DMAbs were expressed over a wide window of...
Visualizing 'unfurling' microtubule growth
Living cells depend absolutely on microtubules that form a scaffolding for moving materials inside the cell. Microtubule fibers are hollow rods made of much smaller tubulin subunits that spontaneously assemble...
Captive-breeding will not save wild Asian Houbara without regulation of hunting
The survival of the heavily exploited Asian Houbara depends on the regulation of trapping and hunting, according to research led by the University of East Anglia (UEA).
Ex-Clemson Tigers QB Kelly Bryant sets decision date
Former Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant has set a date to let the world know of his much-anticipated landing spot.
Trilobites: Male Insect Fertility Plummets After Heat Waves
Researchers say that temperature’s effects on sperm production could be one factor behind the decline in the world’s insect populations.
The dawn of a new era for genebanks
One important aspect of biodiversity is genetic variation within species. A notable example is the variety of cultivars of crop plants. Scientists have now characterized at the molecular level a...
DNA structure impacts rate and accuracy of DNA synthesis
The speed and error rate of DNA synthesis is influenced by the three-dimensional structure of the DNA. Using "third-generation" genome-wide DNA sequencing data, a team of researchers from Penn State...
Visualizing 'unfurling' microtubule growth
Living cells depend absolutely on tubulin, a protein that forms hollow tube-like polymers, called microtubules, that form scaffolding for moving materials inside the cell. Tubulin-based microtubule scaffolding allows cells to...
Watch: Alligators pose for selfies at New Orleans airport
A Louisiana airport is teaming with a nature institute to offer passengers the chance to snap "Gator Selfies" with real baby alligators.