Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Young brood-parasitic cowbirds may seek out unrelated adult females as role models
Unlike most other bird species, the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species and leaves the host to raise its young—a behavior known...
Reusing sunflower seed flour can make bread more protein-packed and rich in antioxidants
The growing demand for healthy alternatives to traditional wheat products has boosted the search for new functional ingredients. In this context, partially defatted sunflower seed flour (SF)—a by-product of industrial...
200 million year-old flying reptile species found
The newly discovered flying reptile is the oldest pterosaur in North America.
Beyond the alpha male: Primate studies challenge male-dominance norms
New findings by researchers at the University of Montpellier, the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, and the German Primate Center in Göttingen resolve why male-female power asymmetries...
Steering brain cells with magnetic nanoparticles to rebuild lost connections
A collaborative study led by Professor Vittoria Raffa at the University of Pisa and Assistant Professor Fabian Raudzus (Department of Clinical Application) has unveiled a novel approach that uses magnetically...
Platform enhances purity and reproducibility of extracellular vesicle proteomics
A group of researchers at the VIB‑UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology has developed a new platform to isolate and analyze extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanosized particles secreted by cells and playing...
30 years ago, 'Species' showed where the Venn diagram of exploitation, B-movie nonsense, and serious sci-fi drama meets
How Species' lofty science-fiction ideas were consumed by its monster instincts.
Mouse hosts produce functional rat sperm, opening new doors for genetic research
Rie Natsume and her collaborators have recently developed an innovative and cost-effective method for generating rats that inherit traits from embryonic stem (ES) cells. Unlike mouse ES cells, rat ES...
Integrating ON-OFF switches for targeted mRNA therapeutics
Professor Hirohide Saito and his research team have developed a new microRNA-responsive hybrid mRNA switch, enabling precise, tissue-specific control of protein expression and pushing the potential of mRNA-based therapeutics.
Uncovering the mechanism behind dual-end cleavage in transfer RNAs
To build proteins, cells rely on a molecule called transfer RNA, or tRNA. tRNAs act like protein-building couriers, where they read the genetic instructions from messenger RNA, mRNA, and deliver...
Watch: Australian flight delayed by snake on a plane
A flight from Australia's Melbourne Airport was delayed for more than an hour due to a stowaway in the cargo hold: a snake.
Look: Deer spotted with bird feeder on its antlers in Ohio
Authorities in Ohio shared photos of a deer spotted wandering with a bird feeder stuck on its antlers, but officials said it does not appear to be causing the animal...
It isn't all bloom and doom: Why algal blooms are becoming more prevalent
Have you ever happened across a body of water completely covered in a mysterious green slime?
Underwater lake heat waves are on the rise, threatening aquatic life
Lakes are essential to ecosystems, providing freshwater, supporting biodiversity and offering crucial habitat for fish and other aquatic species.
Poland reintroduces border controls on Germany, Lithuania
The Polish government reintroduced border control measures between Lithuania and Germany due to growing public concern over what many say is irregular migration.
1 killed after shootout with U.S. border agents in Texas
An unnamed individual was killed Monday morning after a fire exchange in Texas with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents.
How lanthanides stabilize chlorophyll to boost plant resilience to UV stress
Lanthanides are a class of rare earth elements that in many countries are added to fertilizer as micronutrients to stimulate plant growth. But little is known about how they are...
Discovery of key signal in red blood cell formation could boost artificial blood production
A breakthrough in the understanding of how mammals create red blood cells could lead to opportunities for artificial blood to be created at scale for the first time. The study...
Super-resolution imaging uncovers how lipid nanoparticles deliver RNA and where they fall short
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world in 2020, the mRNA vaccines came to the rescue of many people—but in the background there was another, lesser known, hero: the...
A mosquito killer may lurk in a Mediterranean bacteria
Mosquito bites are much more than just a red and itchy summertime nuisance. The diseases that they carry are notoriously difficult to control and kill over 700,000 people worldwide every year. What’s more,...
Mediterranean bacteria may harbor new mosquito solution
Mosquito-borne diseases kill more than 700,000 people every year, according to the World Health Organization, and the mosquitoes that spread the disease are difficult to control. Most species have developed...
How protected are protected areas? What monitoring birds tells us about park management in Togo, West Africa
Protected areas are crucial for wildlife conservation, but many are under unprecedented pressure associated with exponential human population growth in West Africa. In Togo, two national parks that previously hosted...
Cities at climate crossroads: Researchers investigate growth and degrowth approaches
Can cities continue to grow without destroying Earth? A new paper from ICTA-UAB, Spain, offers insight into this complex issue.
Jodie Whittaker, Jason Watkins join 'Dear England' cast
Jodie Whittaker and Jason Watkins have joined the cast of the BBC's screen adaptation of James Graham's play "Dear England."
Maxing out chemical-free crop protection with dsRNAmax
A software package developed and validated at The University of Queensland can tailor safe, effective and chemical-free crop protection using RNA interference (RNAi). The dsRNAmax software designs double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)...
Penguin Vessel: 1,600-year-old Nazca depiction of a cold-water Humboldt penguin that lives in tropical Peru
A rare penguin-shaped pot reveals the Nazca's interest in depicting the wildlife around them.
Investigating microbialites to unlock the secrets of early life on Earth
Australian microbe research is helping improve our understanding of the potential for life in extreme environments, offering vital clues about early life on Earth.
Trees and hedges on farmland significantly boost butterfly numbers
University of Oxford researchers have led a new study which found that hedgerows, small copses and even individual trees can significantly increase the number of butterflies in farmed landscapes. The...