Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Hong Kong bird tests positive for H5N1
Hong Kong authorities said Friday that a dead chicken found in the southern Chinese territory had tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus.
Peanut product recall still expanding
WASHINGTON, March 5 (UPI) -- Abbott Nutrition of Columbus, Ohio, a division of Abbott Laboratories, is recalling several of its candy bars that might contain tainted peanut products.
Doubling gene produces giant corn biomass
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., March 4 (UPI) -- A U.S. geneticist says doubling a certain gene in corn produces giant biomass that yields corn that makes good silage and also...
New Type Of Vaccination Provides Instant Immunity To Two Types Of Cancer In Animal Model
Scientists have found a way to use specially programmed chemicals to elicit an immediate immune response in laboratory animals against two types of cancer.
New And Unexpected Mechanism Identified How The Brain Responds To Stress
Using a rat model, scientists have discovered that neurons in the hypothalamus, the brain's command center for stress responses, interpret "off" chemical signals as "on" chemical signals when stress is...
Researchers unveil new monkey model for HIV
By altering just one gene in HIV-1, scientists have succeeded in infecting pig-tailed macaque monkeys with a human version of the virus that has until now been impossible to study...
Airborne ecologists help balance delicate African ecosystem
The African savannah is world famous for its wildlife, especially the iconic large herbivores such as elephants, zebras, and giraffes. But managing these ecosystems and balancing the interests of the...
Technique may help stem cells generate solid organs
Stem cells can thrive in segments of well-vascularised tissue temporarily removed from laboratory animals, say researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Once the cells have nestled into the...
Protein complex shown to play pivotal role in stem cell development in 2 Stanford studies
Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a protein complex important in controlling whether embryonic stem cells retain their ability to become any cell in the body...
How Microscopic Changes To Brain Cause Schizophrenic Behavior In Mice
Disrupting the function of a key molecule in the brain leads to microscopic brain abnormalities and schizophrenia-like behavior in mice. These abnormalities are similar to those seen in the autopsied...
Dentistry Of Future? Gene Responsible For Formation Of Enamel Discovered
Scientists have identified a gene responsible for the formation of enamel, which is the key component of the teeth. The experiments were accomplished in mice carrying a deletion of the...
New Forensic Method Aims to Predict What a Person Looks Like from DNA Sample
(PhysOrg.com) -- A University of Arizona research team recently completed a study looking at the DNA blueprint of almost 1,000 individuals and comparing that to detailed measurements of their hair,...
UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News
South Asian monsoons may become weaker ... Technique may spot early pancreatic cancer ... NASA celebrates Landsat 5 anniversary ... New method found to create stem cells ... Health/Science news...
Out-of-sync days throw heart and metabolism out of whack
Study shows sleep/wake cycle is more important than number of hours slept
Observatory: Land Use and Density Affect Fires in Indonesia
A new study suggests that while drought may lead to the worst incidences of burning in Indonesia, land use and population density also play roles.
Why Nicotine Prefers Brains Over Brawn
Single amino acid change helps explain the first step in smoking addiction
A Better Way to Make Embryonic-like Stem Cells
"Jumping genes" may improve efficiency and safety of creating therapeutic cells
Here's looking at you, fellow!
(PhysOrg.com) -- Already Charles Darwin investigated facial expressions of monkeys in order to find out how closely related humans and monkeys really are. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for...
Achtung, bunny's back in town
Hares, foxes and wild boar are increasingly migrating into Germany's cities, causing havoc and even sometimes endangering humans, a major wildlife organisation said on Monday.
Study: Evolving DNA boost HIV's survival
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 2 (UPI) -- U.S. and British researchers say HIV's ability to adapt so well to the body's defense system presents a "formidable" challenge to medical...
Top South African journals to go open access
High-profile South African journals are to receive more recognition thanks to a new open access scheme modelled on a successful Brazilian venture.
NI tops survey of people who do not believe in evolution
Northern Ireland has the highest percentage of people who believe human beings did not evolve but were created by God in the last 10,000 years, according to a UK survey.
Mechanical mother whirrs in to help new-born monkey
A hand-reared monkey is provided with a mechanical surrogate mother to help keep her company.
Nanosensors Quickly Detect Possible DNA Mutations
Researchers have developed electrochemical sensors that, amongst other functions, enable the detection of possible mutations in DNA in a more rapid manner that has been achieved to date.
Airborne fungi linked to asthma epidemic in Puerto Rico
A survey of airborne fungi and fungal spores found in Eastern Puerto Rico suggests that certain species may be a major cause of the high incidence of childhood asthma in...
Safeway-brand instant milk recalled
WASHINGTON, March 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of Safeway-brand instant non-fat dry milk due to possible contamination.
Cellular 'Computer' Built in Live Yeast
Scientists have engineered a cellular "computer" within the genetic material of living yeast cells
BioScience tip sheet, March 2009
The March 2009 issue of BioScience includes the following peer-reviewed articles: Molecular Biology and Genomics: New Tools for Weed Science.Patrick J. Tranel and David P. Horvath. Modern techniques have allowed great advances...