Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Don't count on whales as 'climate savers,' says study
Do whales increase the removal of carbon from the atmosphere?
'Extinct' butterfly species reappears in UK
The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner - a keen naturalist - has been on their trail.
How to stay dry and safe while hiking in the rain
Stop thinking of hiking in the rain as an accident and make it a plan. Greg Rosenke / Unsplash Hikers and backpackers are like cats: prone to wander and will sleep anywhere...
Why do cats knead?
If a cat kneads on your lap, it's likely because it feels safe around you. But why do they knead in the first place?
Why we need to fall out of love with flaky white fish - study
The UK's growing mismatch between the fish we catch and the fish we want to eat has clear implications for our future food security, according to new research.
Ancient viruses discovered in coral symbionts' DNA
An international team of marine biologists has discovered the remnants of ancient RNA viruses embedded in the DNA of symbiotic organisms living inside reef-building corals.
Delaware customs agents seize 14 ounces of poppy pods
Customs and Border Protection agents in Wilmington, Del., seized an illicit shipment of poppy pods Wednesday.
AI software can provide 'roadmap' for biological discoveries
Predicting a protein's location within a cell can help researchers unlock a plethora of biological information that's critical for developing future scientific discoveries related to drug development and treating diseases...
Synthetic DNA could help scientists modify genes and create new biofuels
Unlocking the potential of laboratory-crafted DNA, known as synthetic DNA, holds the key to groundbreaking advancements across multiple domains, according to quantum biologists from the University of Surrey.
45 bags of human remains found during search for missing Mexican workers
Mexican investigators discovered 45 bags containing human remains in a ravine near Guadalajara in Jalisco state. The bodies were discovered in the Mirador del Bosque ravine as police searched for...
Study shows more mutations likely with genetically engineered synthetic DNA
Unlocking the potential of laboratory-crafted DNA, known as synthetic DNA, holds the key to groundbreaking advancements across multiple domains, according to quantum biologists from the University of Surrey.
Speaking up for the annoying fruit fly
Fruit flies can be truly annoying when they are buzzing around your living room or landing in your wine. But we have much to thank these tiny nuisances for—they revolutionized...
New species of frog discovered in NSW already feared endangered
A new paper published today in Zootaxa reveals a new species of forest frog has been identified in New South Wales, and concerningly it warrants listing as endangered.
Aquatic plants are essential to the ecosystem, but need good management, say researchers
Submerged macrophytes are declining in many shallow lakes around the world, with more algae and free-floating plants taking their place. But an opposite trend is also emerging: water bodies with...
Researchers develop new tool to identify nematode pest in beech leaf disease
Beech leaf disease (BLD) is an emerging threat to North American forest ecosystems. It was first discovered in northeastern Ohio in 2012, and has already spread to 12 additional U.S....
Recombinant and tunable spidroin hydrogels for drug release and cell culture
In a new study, researchers at Karolinska Institutet show that recombinant spider silk protein hydrogels have many attractive features. They allow encapsulation of cells and bioactive molecules simply by incubation...
Pathogenic fungus found to infect dung beetles in Australia
A locally found pathogenic fungus, Beauveria australis, has for the first time been observed infecting imported dung beetles in Australia.
Researchers unveil long-sought noncanonical cleavage mechanism in miRNA biogenesis
To discover and thoroughly demonstrate the newly identified noncanonical cleavage mechanism, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) research team, led by Prof. Tuan Anh Nguyen, Assistant Professor...
Struggling to calm your mind? Buddhist monks in Hacienda Heights offer meditation tips
Mediation is not just about sitting still. Monks from Hacienda Heights' Hsi Lai Temple show us different ways to maintain a meditative state while carrying on everyday activities.
Insect wings could inspire new self-cleaning technologies
Fresh insights into how insects use water droplets to wash dirt and pollutants from their bodies could help improve the performance of self-cleaning devices, a study suggests.
Close relative of aperiodic tile 'the hat' found to be a true chiral aperiodic monotile
Mathematicians from Yorkshire University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Waterloo and the University of Arkansas have one-upped themselves by finding a close relative of "the hat," a unique...
Missing link explains mRNA delivery in brain cells
Brain cells manufacture proteins in every corner, including their long branches. Neurons missing this ability cause severe neurological disorders like disability and epilepsy. The groups of Marino Zerial, Max Planck...
A fire brigade against mosquitoes: New technology can protect against the spread of tropical diseases
The warm season in Europe marks the beginning of the high season for mosquitoes. While they and their larvae serve as prey for many animals and thus play an important...
Industry knew about risks of PFAS 'forever chemicals' for decades before push to restrict them, study says
Makers of PFAS, a class of chemicals used in everything from cookware to food containers and makeup, knew the substances were toxic as early as the 1970s and obscured the...
Discovery of neurons that recognize others
Researchers from the Center for Cognition and Sociality (CCS) within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) recently announced the discovery of neurons that allow us to recognize others. The research...
Major primate genome sequencing studies reveal new insight into evolution, biodiversity and key applications for human health
A new investigation led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine's Human Genome Sequencing Center, the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain, and Illumina, Inc....
Why we need to fall out of love with flaky white fish
The UK's growing mismatch between the fish we catch and the fish we want to eat has clear implications for our future food security, according to new research.
Tiny sensor could guide needles through the body, monitor health from afar
Go for a biopsy these days and chances are your doctor will have to knock you out, slice part of you open, and fish around for the needed tissue. But what if...