Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Changing ties that naturally bind: How information, disease, and social evolution are linked
Animals use social information for a variety of reasons, including identifying new foraging areas or of threats from predators.
How plants shut the door on infection
Plants have a unique ability to safeguard themselves against pathogens by closing their pores—but until now, no one knew quite how they did it. Scientists have known that a flood...
Unlocking the mysteries of the brain
A research team highlights the mechanisms underlying memory and learning capacity -- specifically, how our brains process, store and integrate information.
Antagonistic genes modify rice plant growth
Rice stems lengthen when a newly identified gene activates during flooding. Another gene suppresses lengthening in shorter varieties. The insight could help plant breeders.
Bacteria could survive the trip to Mars in the form of thick aggregates
If bacteria form thick enough aggregates -- large populations of bacteria cells with multicellular structures -- they could partially survive the long trip to Mars.
Effectiveness of primate conservation measures mostly lacking
Primates receive a lot of research attention and conservation funding compared to other taxonomic groups, owing largely to their anthropological significance and charisma. Yet, we remain unable to conserve them...
New genetic markers of glucosinolates in rapeseed may improve oil composition
A group of scientists from Skoltech and Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops in Krasnodar performed genetic analysis of the Russian rapeseed collection. The scientists described the genetic diversity...
Brachypodium model system traces polyploid genome evolution
Flowering plants abide by the concept, "the more the merrier," with respect to their genomes. In their base state, they are diploids with two genome copies, one from each parent....
Spotted lanternfly tree traps can be effective, but need careful installation
For homeowners dealing with spotted lanternfly infestations, tree traps can be a cost-effective, nonchemical option.
For survival, dolphins share fish and a little more
Researchers have discovered some dolphin species have a lot more in common with humans than first thought. They gather in groups. They have strong social interactions. They share food. And...
Scientists develop topological barcodes for folded molecules
The team of Alireza Mashaghi at the Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research has found a way to determine and classify the shape of proteins. Their new theory defines the...
Uncontrolled molecule sparks rare liver cancer
Since humans first controlled fire, they have camped around it to circulate information, signaling each other when something approaches. Metaphorically, certain molecules have been carrying information around our cells to...
Humpback ballet: Fishing duo captures breaching performance on camera
Two whales decided to crash Sarah and Sean Russell's fishing trip this past weekend.
Fate of California condors unknown after sanctuary burns
A California wildfire has destroyed a sanctuary for the endangered California condor and the fates of several condors, including a chick, remain unknown.
Africa declared free of wild polio after four years without cases
The WHO Africa region was declared free of wild polio on Tuesday after four years without a case.
New tool for identifying endangered corals could aid conservation efforts
A newly developed genotyping 'chip' -- the first of its kind for corals -- allows researchers to genetically identify corals and the symbiotic algae that live within the coral's cells,...
Memory protein: Researchers uncover unusual glassy behavior in a disordered protein
When researchers sought to understand the mechanical behaviors of disordered proteins in the lab, they expected that after being stretched, one particular model protein would snap back instantaneously, like a...
N.C. lottery drawing comes up 9-9-9-9, leading to 1,303 winners
The North Carolina Education Lottery said there were a total 1,303 $5,000 top prize winners when the number combination 9-9-9-9 came up in a Carolina Pick 4 drawing.
Importance of rainfall highlighted for tropical animals
Imagine a tropical forest, and you might conjure up tall trees hung with vines, brightly colored birds, howling monkeys, and ... rain. Indeed, precipitation patterns, along with temperature, dictate where...
Scientists create protein models to explore toxic methylmercury formation
A team has created a computational model of the proteins responsible for the transformation of mercury to toxic methylmercury, marking a step forward in understanding how the reaction occurs and...
Single-cell RNA sequencing sheds new light on cancer cells' varied response to chemotherapy
Single-cell analysis, done in three colon cancer cell lines, is believed to be the first to profile transcriptome-level changes in response to DNA damage across individual cells.
To be or not to be in the ER, that is the question
Researchers discovered a new way cells can dispose of misfolded proteins that may help better understand human NGLY1 deficiency.
Study reveals two major microbial groups can't breathe
A new scientific study has revealed unique life strategies of two major groups of microbes that live below Earth's surface. A publication in Frontiers in Microbiology reports that these groups,...
Video is not always effective in science communication, study suggests
Audiences shown a video about coral reefs had less willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation than when shown a slideshow of texts and photographs. The findings suggest the importance of...
Researchers reveal molecular structures involved in plant respiration
All plants and animals respire, releasing energy from food. At the cellular level, this process occurs in the mitochondria. But there are differences at the molecular level between how plants...
Researchers uncover unusual glassy behavior in a disordered protein
When UC Santa Barbara materials scientist Omar Saleh and graduate student Ian Morgan sought to understand the mechanical behaviors of disordered proteins in the lab, they expected that after being...
New study shows evolutionary breakdown of 'social' chromosome in ants
Scientists have found that harmful mutations accumulating in the fire ant social chromosome are causing its breakdown.
Computer modeling used to predict reef health
A researcher has developed a way to predict the future health of the planet's coral reefs. He has been studying the ecosystems of the world's endangered reefs.