Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Protein Structure Determined In Living Cells, In Bacterium E. Coli
The function of a protein is determined both by its structure and by its interaction partners in the cell. Until now, proteins had to be isolated for analyzing them. Using...
Survival of the nicest
DNA Differences May Influence Risk Of Hodgkin Disease
A new analysis has found that certain variations in genes that repair DNA can affect a person's risk of developing Hodgkin disease.
Observatory: Rise in Ocean Acidity May Lead to Thinner Plankton Shells
New research shows some evidence than rising acid levels in the ocean is affecting the ability of small marine organisms to create shells.
New therapy replaces stroke damaged tissue
LONDON, March 9 (UPI) -- British medical scientists say they've created a stem cell technology that can replace stroke-damaged brain tissue.
Toward Synthetic Life: Scientists Create Ribosomes -- Cell Protein Machinery
Scientists have cleared a key hurdle in the creation of synthetic life, assembling a cell's critical protein-making machinery -- the ribosome -- in an advance with both practical, industrial applications...
Busy B's: Lymphocyte Uses Multiple Mechanisms To Shape Immune Response
New research expands our understanding of how a type of immune cell called a B lymphocyte enables the immune system to mount a successful defense against an intestinal parasite. The...
Pitt researchers describe molecular '2-step' leading to protein clumps of Huntington's disease
In a paper published in the early online version of Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine deconstruct the first steps in an...
Cleft lip and palate: Genes more important than thought?
Comparing 500,000 snippets of human DNA put scientists from the University of Bonn on the right track. A genetic variant on chromosome 8 occurs with significantly higher frequency in people...
Scientists identify the neural circuitry of first impressions
Neuroscientists at New York University and Harvard University have identified the neural systems involved in forming first impressions of others. The findings, which show how we encode social information and...
Science of time: What makes our internal clock tick
Neuroscientists are exploring how brain and body make sense of our most ephemeral resource. ...
Wheat Gene With Resistance To Stripe Rust Discovered
Experts on wheat biotechnology have discovered a gene that will make bread wheat capable of resisting stripe rust, a fungus that causes crop losses in many states.
Insecticidal Toxin Useless Without 'Friendly' Bacteria Accomplices
The toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is a popular insecticide used to control pest moths and butterflies, and in some GM pest-proof crops. In a study published in...
Why Dreams Are So Difficult To Remember: Precise Communication Discovered Across Brain Areas During Sleep
By listening in on the chatter between neurons in various parts of the brain, researchers have taken steps toward fully understanding just how memories are formed, transferred, and ultimately stored...
Taking a bite out of ocean research
The Dalhousie-Headquartered Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) has reached a major milestone with the deployment of its first international tracking line. Draped off the coast of Perth, Australia, the 'listening curtain'...
Molecule tracking reveals mechanism of chromosome separation in dividing cells
University of Washington (UW) researchers are helping to write the operating manual for the nano-scale machine that separates chromosomes before cell division. The apparatus is called a spindle because it...
New Models Question Old Assumptions About How Many Molecules It Takes To Control Cell Division
A single cell is exquisitely sensitive to its surroundings. It receives input signals, processes the information, makes decisions, and issues commands for making the proper response. As with any control...
Humans Can Sense 'Smell Of Fear' In Sweat, Psychologist Says
When threatened, many animals release chemicals as a warning signal to members of their own species, who in turn react to the signals and take action. New research suggests a...
Secret Birth Control Method: The Welcome Dance of the Uterus
The uterus plays a role in make sure sperm are in the right place at the right time.
Penn vet researchers identify a critical growth factor that stimulates sperm stem cells to thrive
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and Pennsylvania State University have identified for the first time a specific "niche factor" in the mouse testes called colony...
'Holy powder' ingredient makes membranes behave for better health
Revered in India as "holy powder," the marigold-colored spice known as turmeric has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other health problems. In recent years, research into...
Citrus Disease Bacterium Sequenced
Researchers have a new tool to combat citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), a disease threatening the nation's $2.2 billion citrus industry.
Better Sequence Searches Of Genes And Proteins Devised
Often, the sequences of genes and proteins can suggest to us what their function is -- especially if we compare them with known sequences. Researchers have now developed a method...
New Light Shed On Marine Luminescence
The mystery of how some marine animals produce light has come one step closer to being solved. Researchers have discovered that krill, the luminous crustacean, can use special and previously...
Olive Groves May Be Rescued By Helpful Wasp
Olives basking in sunny California groves might find that their new best friend is a small brown wasp. Known to scientists as Psyttalia cf. concolor, the little wasp can help...
A Curious Case of Genetic Resurrection
Series of unlikely events brings dead gene back to life
Look 'Em in the Eye
In light of the ongoing world financial collapse, here's a tip to banks: take a look at your customers. A new study suggests that a person's creditworthiness can be seen...
New Gene-searching Method Uncovers Possible New Targets For Crohn's Disease Drugs
Discovering the different genes that contribute to a complex disease is like searching in the proverbial haystack for an unknown number of needles. But if some needles are linked to...