Latest science news in Biology & Nature
How do researchers determine how toxic a chemical is? A toxicologist explains alternatives to animal testing
A vast number of chemicals are registered for production and use around the world. But only a portion have been thoroughly evaluated for their toxicity due to time, cost, ethical...
Temperature during development influences connectivity between neurons and behavior in fruit flies, study shows
The rate of development of poikilothermic animals, such as insects, fish, and reptiles, is determined by environmental temperature. A research team at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has demonstrated how...
Hummingbirds in Andes Mountains found nesting in colonies, defying territorial norms
Recent research by Bowling Green State University scientists has sent shockwaves through the bird-watching world after discovering atypical behavior in hummingbirds.
New technology puts a spatial lens on CRISPR screening
Recently, scientists have been able to explore gene circuitry in individual cells using methods that suppress particular genes and measure the impact on the expression of other genes. These methods,...
Gene related to human kidney disease linked to touch in sea anemones
Biological sciences researchers from the U of A have led the publication of a paper that expands our understanding of sensory neurons in the tentacles of sea anemones, linking them...
Most ancient Europeans had dark skin, eyes and hair up until 3,000 years ago, new research finds
A new study charts the genetics of skin, hair and eye color in Europe over 45,000 years.
Integrative analysis tool turns spatial RNA sequencing into imager
Spatial transcriptomics is a cutting-edge technique that characterizes gene expression within sections of tissue, such as heart, skin or liver tissue. These snapshots provide insights into how spatial organization affects...
New study on the scale and scope of the online trade of endangered species
The fastest shark in the sea is losing the race against extinction. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, the shortfin Mako is being outpaced by...
Neurons' reverse migration: Exploring the brain's evolutionary architecture
Researchers from the University of New Hampshire looked at the developmental process of the cerebral cortex—the outermost layer of the brain—and examined how neurons, or nerve cells, refine their positions...
'Nanosnag' virus detection technique could streamline vaccine production quality checks
As viral vaccines are increasingly used to meet global health needs, the pharmaceutical industry is manufacturing larger amounts of virus to make them. A new method of virus detection from...
Mosquito Pain Receptors Are Less Sensitive During Extreme Heat
Hotter temperatures may render natural insect repellents less effective against mosquitoes, according to a new study.
The 'sustainable' cod in your shopping basket may be no such thing—new study reveals mislabeling
Cod sold in some European supermarkets is being mislabeled and is actually fished far from its claimed origin, according to our new study. We sampled cod sold in Germany, Spain,...
Want to preserve biodiversity? Go big, researchers say
Large, undisturbed forests are better for harboring biodiversity than fragmented landscapes, according to University of Michigan research. Ecologists agree that habitat loss and the fragmentation of forests reduces biodiversity in...
NASA continues BioNutrients space-fermented food research
NASA's BioNutrients series of experiments is testing ways to use microorganisms to make nutrients that will be needed for human health during future long-duration deep space exploration missions.
Cells 'speed date' to find their neighbors when forming tissues
In developing hearts, cells shuffle around, bumping into each other to find their place, and the stakes are high: pairing with the wrong cell could mean the difference between a...
Mosquito pain receptors found to be less sensitive during extreme heat, which could nullify some natural bug sprays
Hotter temperatures may render natural insect repellents less effective against mosquitoes, according to a new study. Researchers found that a pain receptor called TRPA1 becomes less sensitive in mosquitoes when...
A new name for one of the world's rarest rhinoceroses
A new study revealed significant differences in the appearance and behavior of the two one-horned Asiatic rhinoceros species, challenging long-standing classifications and supporting a re-evaluation of their status.
Bumblebees winter nest-building 'due to climate'
Active worker bumblebees were spotted in Scotland over the Christmas break.
'We sing to them': LA stables turn Noah's Ark for fire rescue animals
Pigs, donkeys and even a mini cow named Cuddles found a temporary home after the LA fires.
Scientists find structural variation that boosts grain number in sorghum
Chinese scientists have uncovered two major genes responsible for sorghum's double-grain spikelet that dramatically enhance grain number and crop yield. A substantial 35.7-kilobase intrachromosomal inversion at the DG1 (Double-Grain 1)...
She's Better at Making Her Bed
Young female chimpanzees make their nests earlier and more often than young male chimps, demonstrating their independence right from the start, a new UdeM study finds.
'Fishial' Recognition: Neural Network Identifies Coral Reef Sounds
Faster identification of fish sounds from acoustic recordings can improve research, conservation efforts
BGSU Researchers Make First-of-Its-Kind Discovery Into Hummingbird Behavior, Lives
Hummingbirds are often highly aggressive and territorial, but in the tough terrains of the Andes Mountains, BGSU researchers found a species is living cohesively with its peers
NASA Continues BioNutrients Space-Fermented Food Research
2 min readNASA Continues BioNutrients Space-Fermented Food Research NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams displays a set of BioNutrients production packs during an experiment aboard the International Space Station. The experiment...
Computational model enhances protein kinase target prediction for therapies
Protein kinase research presents an opportunity to explore molecular targets in the body to treat diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. These enzymes have the potential to bind to cellular...
These octopuses inject their lovers with one of the world’s deadliest toxins
The octopuses in the genus Hapalochlaena , known as blue-ringed octopuses, wield one of the deadliest substances known to science. The tetrodotoxin in their venom is such a potent paralytic that a single...
Hibernating lemurs can turn back the clock on cellular aging
We're all familiar with the outward signs of aging. The face that greets you in the mirror each morning may have sagging skin or thinning hair. But many age-related changes...
Spider development and vision: A genetic perspective
A new study provides detailed insights into the embryogenesis and eye development of the cave-dwelling spider Tegenaria pagana. The research, published in EvoDevo, examines key genetic mechanisms involved in eye...