Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Stress could wipe out fish
The offspring of reef fish living in a changing and stressful environment are more likely to die young, new research has found.
Neurodegeneration Study Reveals Targets Of Destruction
Scientists are reporting the strongest evidence to date that neurodegenerative diseases target and progress along distinct neural networks that normally support healthy brain function. The discovery could lead to earlier...
Illegal trade devastates Sumatran orangutan population, TRAFFIC report says
Lack of law enforcement against illegal trade in Indonesia threatens the survival of orangutans and gibbons on Sumatra, a new study by the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC shows.
Newfound lichen species named for Obama
A newly discovered species of lichen — a plant-like growth that looks like moss or a dry leaf — has been named after President Obama.
Melanoma protein therapy target identified
PHILADELPHIA, April 16 (UPI) -- U.S. medical scientists say they've discovered a protein called Mcl-1 that plays a critical role in allowing melanoma cells to metastasize.
Study: Red pandas have a sweet tooth
PHILADELPHIA, April 16 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've determined the red panda is the first non-primate mammal to display a liking for the artificial sweetener aspartame.
Genes: Surprisingly similar across species
TORONTO, April 16 (UPI) -- Canadian-led scientists say they've discovered surprising genetic similarities among chickens, frogs, pufferfish, mice and humans.
Iranian Scientists Clone Goat
Iranian scientists have cloned a goat and plan future experiments they hope will lead to a treatment for stroke patients, the leader of the research said.
Chemists synthesise herbal alkaloid
The club moss Lycopodium serratum is a creeping, flowerless plant used in homeopathic medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments. It contains a potent brew of alkaloids that have...
UI biologist studies ocean plant cell adaptation in climate change
How will plant cells that live in the oceans and serve as the basic food supply for many of the world's sea creatures react to climate change? A University of...
DECIPHERing human disease
Today - five years after the inception of the DECIPHER database - researchers have published a report that reveals the developing role of the database in revolutionising both clinical practice...
Sewage Plants May Be Creating "Super" Bacteria
A wastewater treatment plant's job description is pretty straightforward: Remove contaminants from sewage so it can be returned to the environment without harming people or wildlife. [More]
Genes Show Limited Value in Predicting Diseases
The genetic analysis of common disease is turning out to be a lot more complex than expected, according to new commentary.
National Briefing | Environment: E.P.A. To Order Pesticide Testing
The Environmental Protection Agency said it would order the manufacturers of 67 pesticides to test whether their products disrupt the hormonal system of humans or animals.
Researchers Unravel Neuronal Circuitry Keeping Metabolism And Fat Storage In Check
Scientists have unravelled novel aspects of the biochemical signalling pathways that enable the tiny roundworm, C. elegans, to modify its metabolism in response to food using a neurochemical signaling system...
Prehistoric Turtle Goes To Hospital For CT Scan In Search For Skull, Eggs, Embryos
Researchers recently took a 75-million-year-old turtle for a CT scan to look for its skull, additional eggs and possible embryos.
Parasite breaks its own DNA to avoid detection
The parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which causes African sleeping sickness, is like a thief donning a disguise. Every time the host's immune cells get close to destroying the parasite, it escapes...
Red Leaves Say, "Bug Off!"
Study supports idea that autumn colors deter insect pests
Climate change an ‘opportunity’ as well as a threat
Conservation pioneer Russell A. Mittermeier started this year’s Roger Tory Peterson Memorial Lecture (April 5) with a quiz. In front of several hundred listeners at Harvard’s Science Center he turned on a small...
Study Explores Animal Survival in Inherited Habitat
Team of researchers explores how inheriting favorable or unfavorable habitat affects the overall rise and fall of animal populations. For some animal species, inheriting habitat may play as much of...
DNA Detection Methods Being Used to Fight Illegal Practices in Global Fish and Seafood Trade
Along with the increased worldwide demand for fish and seafood is a rise in the illegal practice of substituting lesser-valued seafood for the more highly prized varieties, such as sea...
Rare Window On Spinal Muscular Atrophy Genetics
Caused by a mutation of the SMN gene, spinal muscular atrophy is an infantile and juvenile neurodegenerative disorder where motor neuron loss causes progressive paralysis. A new study details the...
Developmental biology: Two by two
Could genes explain the remarkable rate of identical twins born in some remote villages around the world? David Cyranoski investigates a long-standing biological curiosity.
'Gay Elephant' Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg
"We didn't pay 37 million zlotys for the largest elephant house in Europe to have a gay elephant live there," said Michal Grzes, a conservative councillor in the Polish city...
New way to analyze sleep disorders
COLLEGE PARK, MD, April 14, 2009 -- Sleep is such an essential part of human existence that we spend about a third of our lives doing it -- some more...
Larvae-eating fish employed in malaria fight
Scientists are expanding a method that uses larvae-eating fish to contain mosquito populations, which could be used in tackling malaria.
DNA founder attacks database
The inventor of the science behind the national DNA database says it risks losing support because it holds the records of innocent people.
Honeybees smell a rat and outsmart flowers
Bees can quickly learn which flowers produce the best nectar by the way they smell, even when they smell extremely similar. This finding, published today in the journal Proceedings of...