Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Watch: Taylor Swift releases lyric video for 'Folklore' bonus track, 'The Lakes'
Taylor Swift released on Tuesday a lyric video for "Folklore" bonus track "The Lakes."
New findings on SARS-CoV-2 protein shed light on virus's ability to infect cells
At the start of a COVID-19 infection, the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 docks onto human cells using the spike-like proteins on its surface. The spike protein is at the centre of vaccine...
Researchers discover novel molecular mechanism that enables conifers to adapt to winter
In boreal forest during late winter, freezing temperatures are typical but at the same time the sun can already shine very brightly. This combination is especially dangerous to evergreen plants,...
Farmers should share burden of cultivating habitat for wild bees, researchers say
Too often, researchers argue in a new paper, farmers who cultivate habitat for bees go unrewarded, while their neighbors receive pollination services for free.
Long 'lost' elephant shrew found in Horn of Africa
For half a century scientists feared that the Somali elephant shrew had vanished from the face of the Earth. No one had seen so much as a whisker.
Evolution in real-time: How bacteria adapt to their hosts
Bacteria that invade animal cells in order to multiply are widespread in nature. Some of these are pathogens of humans and animals. In the environment, they are often found inside...
Free-roaming dogs prevent giant pandas from thriving in the wild
Before China declared giant pandas a protected species in 1962—hunters in pursuit of the black and white bear used dogs to track them. Since then measures have been put in...
Tiny endangered shrimp may get big hand from environmental DNA testing
The San Diego fairy shrimp, a miniscule, puddle-dwelling crustacean that provides food for migrating birds, is nearing extinction as humans continue to encroach on its wetlands habitat. But a new...
Scientists identify modulator of plant architecture in Setaria italica
The leaf is the primary organ for light capture and organic compound synthesis in plants. For cereal crops, leaf architecture is an important agronomic trait that directly determines canopy structure,...
Further details revealed about a highly efficient anticancer drug delivery system
The majority of drug delivery systems use nano carriers to transport drugs due to their small size and ability to distribute drugs to otherwise inaccessible sites of the body. The...
Novel method can efficiently create several 'building blocks' of pharmaceutical drugs
Scientists demonstrate a new method of producing a specific class of organic compounds, which promises to accelerate drug discovery research for several diseases.
New building block in plant wall construction
University of Adelaide researchers as part of a multidisciplinary, international team, have uncovered a new biochemical mechanism fundamental to plant life.
Rare white orca sighting off Alaskan coast
A rare white orca was spotted off the southeast coast of Alaska earlier this month, creating excitement for researchers and whale watchers alike.
Scientists discover 30 new species in Galapagos depths
An international team of marine scientists have discovered 30 new species of invertebrates in deep water surrounding the Galapagos, the Ecuadoran archipelago's national park authorities announced Monday.
In rewilding Europe, letting nature do the work is no walk in the park
The chirp of cicadas ripples through the pine forest, carried along on the same breeze as the scent of lavender and wild thyme—with nearly no trace of man.
US university switches to remote after virus cases spike
A university in the US state of North Carolina announced Monday it will switch to entirely virtual classes for its nearly 20,000 students, after dozens tested positive for COVID-19 in...
First genome comparison gives insight into penguin origins, evolution
From the four-foot-tall emperor penguin to the aptly named foot-long little penguin, these unique flightless birds have invaded habitats from Antarctica to the equator, not to mention the hearts of...
Findings refute idea of monarchs' migration mortality as major cause of population decline
In a new study, Monarch Watch Director Chip Taylor and colleagues have shown that speculation regarding the declining monarch population, despite having received much attention, is unsupported.
Autopsies show microplastics in all major human organs
Microscopic bits of plastic have most likely taken up residence in all of the major filtering organs in your body, a new lab study suggests.
Penguins are Aussies: Or are they Kiwis?
Researchers sequenced the genomes of all 18 recognized species of penguin to assemble a family tree, showing that the largest of the penguins - king and emperor - split off...
Findings refute idea of monarchs' migration mortality as major cause of population decline
Research shows that the decline in the monarchs' overwintering numbers is not due to an increase in the deaths of monarchs during the migration. The main determinant of yearly variation...
Frigid waters no match for salmon muscle
A single amino acid swap boosts cold tolerance in Atlantic salmon
More California counties make state coronavirus watchlist as Santa Cruz is removed
On Monday, California updated its list of counties subject to business closures due to high rates of COVID-19 transmission. Just one county, Santa Cruz, was removed.
Regulation of cancer stemness by the best combination of nanotech and genetic engineering
Photo-active nanocomplexes are successfully developed. The nanocomplexes allow spatiotemporal controlling genetically-engineered cells that are overexpressing temperature-sensitive membrane proteins. The technology demonstrates effective cancer elimination and dramatic suppression of cancer stemness...
Designed bacteria produce coral-antibiotic against multi-resistant TB
Corals growing on the reefs of the Bahamas produce an active agent that kills multi-resistant tuberculosis bacteria. Scientistshave managed to produce the antibiotic biotechnologically in the laboratory - fast, cost-efficient...
Grazing species can be more willing to share meals in areas frequented by lions, study shows
Meals are typically family affairs for zebras, gazelles, cape buffalo and other grazing species in the African Serengeti, but in one of the first studies of its kind, ecologists have...
Study reveals how two sex chromosomes communicate during female embryo development
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have solved a mystery that has long puzzled scientists: How do the bodies of female humans and all other mammals decide which of the...
'Keep your paws crossed!' US National Zoo giant panda pregnant
Mei Xiang, the female giant panda at the National Zoo in Washington, is pregnant and could give birth in the next few days, the zoo announced on Monday.