Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Eliminating invasive rats may restore nutrient flow across food chain networks in Seychelles
Ecosystems are characterized by interconnected structure and functions. A study published in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Casey Benkwitt at Lancaster University, United Kingdom and colleagues suggests that restoring...
Chimps develop fashion trend by shoving grass in their ears — and in their butts
Chimpanzees are running around with grass in their ears and butts at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia. This is the second time a bizarre fad-like behavior has gripped the...
These 5 nutrients might be lacking in your diet
U.S. diets should include more of vitamins D and E, fiber, calcium and magnesium — all are essential nutrients that could offer health benefits.
Study reveals urgent conservation needs for Siberian flying squirrel
The Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) is a nocturnal and arboreal rodent that inhabits the boreal taiga forests from eastern Russia to Finland and Estonia. Despite its wide distribution, little...
New software promises to make precision genome editing with CRISPR accessible to more researchers
A Ph.D. student in biomolecular engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has built a software program designed to facilitate the kind of precision genome editing involved in the...
Prairie dog genes reveal secrets of plague survival
A study of the genetic basis of plague immunity in prairie dogs has broad implications for conservation. From white-nose syndrome in bats to avian malaria in Hawaiian birds, introduced pathogens...
Meet the 'plastivore' caterpillars that grow fat from eating plastic
Plastics play a fundamental role in modern life, but their resistance to biodegradation makes them very difficult to dispose of. New research reveals how "plastivore" caterpillars can metabolically degrade plastics...
Why these zombie caterpillars can’t stop eating
Sneaky chemistry by a real-life “Last of Us” Cordyceps fungus mind controls its zombie insect victims by convincing them they’re starving.
How plants build the microbiome they need to survive in a tough environment
New research from Northern Arizona University points to the idea that, under some conditions, plants can "curate" their microbiomes—selecting good microbes and suppressing harmful ones—to adapt to their environments. The...
White clover study reveals genetic architecture that allows invasive plants to thrive worldwide
Monash University scientists have uncovered how invasive plants like white clover rapidly adapt to new environments, revealing genetic changes that underpin their global success.
Wildfire fighter attacked by grizzly bear while on the job in northern B.C.
The man was released from hospital with minor injuries. The bear was protecting its young and won't be destroyed, the Conservation Officer Service says.
10-metre member of 'mysterious' shark species spotted off P.E.I.'s North Shore
One of the world's second-largest species of fish was spotted off the coast of P.E.I. by a group of people returning from a deep-sea fishing trip on July 3.
Diagnosing cancer with light: Scientists develop a probe that glows yellow only in tumor cells
A collaborative research team has successfully developed a novel fluorescent probe, SLY (Sialyl Lewis Yellow), capable of precisely identifying hepatocellular carcinoma tissue. The findings are published in the Journal of...
Innovative DNA assembly process produces high-quality reference genomes for endangered dolphins
Creating genomes from DNA is hugely important for managing threatened species—understanding their past and how they have adapted to their environment helps conservationists protect them.
Scientists 3-D printed a tiny elephant inside a cell
The first structures ever 3-D printed inside living cells point to applications for biology research.
When domesticated rabbits go feral, new morphologies emerge
Originally bred for meat and fur, the European rabbit has become a successful invader worldwide. When domesticated breeds return to the wild and feralize, the rabbits do not simply revert...
A Research Framework for Water Health Clinical Diagnosis System in China
Water ecological health is crucial for sustainable ecosystems and human well-being. However, China's complex water environments present significant challenges for precise health assessments.
When Domesticated Rabbits Go Feral, New Morphologies Emerge
Originally bred for meat and fur, the European rabbit has become a successful invader worldwide. When domesticated breeds return to the wild and feralise, the rabbits do not simply revert...
New study shows tortoises experience feelings similar to our own
Animal behavior and cognition experts at the University of Lincoln, U.K., have made new discoveries about reptile sentience which could reshape how they are cared for in captivity.
Can "Biochar + Trichoderma" Help Chickpeas Resist Diseases and Increase Yield?
Biochar is a porous carbon material formed by the high-temperature pyrolysis of biomass under oxygen-deficient conditions. Its abundant pores provide a "shelter" for microorganisms, and its high carbon content supplies...
AI-powered strategy streamlines protein engineering by integrating structural and evolutionary constraints
A team of researchers has developed a method that could transform the field of protein engineering. The new approach, called AI-informed Constraints for protein Engineering (AiCE), enables rapid and efficient...
Voracious Honey Bees Threaten the Food Supply of Native Pollinators
A study led by UC San Diego biologists is calling attention to the availability of food for bees in the Southwestern U.S. Non-native honey bees, the study found, extract an...
Study uncovers how harmful RNA clumps form—and a way to dissolve them
Look inside a brain cell with Huntington's disease or ALS and you are likely to find RNA clumped together. These solid-like clusters, thought to be irreversible, can act as sponges...
Fear in sync: Fruit flies experience collective survival through neurogenomic diversity
From schools of fish darting away from sharks to flocks of starlings swirling through the sky, the animal kingdom is full of examples of how group behavior offers a survival...
Scientists uncover 'superfamily' of bacterial predator proteins
Scientists have identified a new type of protein in bacteria that could change our understanding of how these organisms interact with their environments.
Mutagenesis technique boosts the efficiency of rubisco, a key enzyme in photosynthesis
During photosynthesis, an enzyme called rubisco catalyzes a key reaction—the incorporation of carbon dioxide into organic compounds to create sugars. However, rubisco, which is believed to be the most abundant...
Losing Asian elephants could unravel tropical forest ecosystem
In a study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences showed that the presence of critically endangered Asian...
Tracking proteins that help the COVID-19 virus replicate
Scientists have identified dozens of human proteins that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, depends on to replicate and spread, according to a recent study published in the journal PLOS...