HIV adapts to 'escape' immune response

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) adapts so well to the body's defense system that any successful AIDS vaccine must keep pace with the ever-changing immunological profile of the virus, according...

Researchers find primordial sex

Studies on fossils have revealed the oldest example of sex on record –in a species of fish that lived 380 million years ago.

Brain Mechanism Recruited To Reduce Noise During Challenging Tasks

New research reveals a sophisticated brain mechanism that is critical for filtering out irrelevant signals during demanding cognitive tasks. The study also provides some insight into how disruption of key...

Study Predicts When Invasive Species Can Travel More Readily On Airplanes

Global airlines be forewarned: June 2010 could be a busy month for invasive plants, insects and animals seeking free rides to distant lands.

'Dark cells' of living retina imaged for the first time

A layer of "dark cells" in the retina that is responsible for maintaining the health of the light-sensing cells in our eyes has been imaged in a living retina for...

Managing microRNAs

Two independent, upcoming G and D papers lend new insight into the expression of microRNAs and their targets during vertebrate development. Dr David Bartel and colleagues describe a novel experimental...

New Tool For Genome-wide Association Studies

Modern genotyping technologies offer new opportunities to explore how genes influence health and disease, but also present the challenge of analyzing huge amounts of genetic and clinical data. With this...

Caltech scientists find evidence for precise communication across brain areas during sleep

By listening in on the chatter between neurones in various parts of the brain, researchers from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have taken steps toward fully understanding just how...

Big-hearted fish reveals genetics of cardiovascular condition

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have unlocked the mystery of a puzzling human disease and gained insight into cardiovascular development, all thanks to a big-hearted fish...

Reversing ecology reveals ancient environments

From hair colour to the ancestral line of parasitic bacteria, scientists can glean a lot from genes. But imagine if genes also revealed where you lived or who you spent...

Happy Birthday, Doomsday Seed Vault!

What do you get a seed bank for its birthday? More seeds, of course. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault celebrates its first birthday today with the addition of 90,000 seed...

New Software Dramatically Speeds Enzyme Design

Scientists have brought powerful software to the never-ending arms race between antibiotics and germs. Working together, computer scientists and biochemists have developed and laboratory-tested a computer program that can show...

New Theory On How Animals Smell: Brain Encodes Complex Plumes Of Odors With A Simple Code

In the real world, odors don't happen one puff at a time. Animals move through, and subsequently distort, plumes of odor molecules that constantly drift, changing direction as the wind...

The Science Behind The 'Anthrax Letter' Attack Investigation

Innovative science was a very important part of the investigation of the anthrax letters but has been widely misrepresented in the popular press because of secrecy requirements imposed by the...

To expand knowledge, we must first admit ignorance

Swiss docs diagnose PlayStation palm

LONDON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Swiss doctors say repetitive strain injury from playing video games can be described as "PlayStation palm."

The Green Home: When It Comes to Detergents, What’s the Least Irresponsible Choice?

Investigating whether cleaning products labeled “organic” and “natural” really are better for the environment.

Study Zeroes In on Calories, Not Diet, for Loss

The largest-ever controlled study of weight-loss methods found that it does not matter if dieters count carbohydrates, protein or fat, as long as they are counting something.

Feds boost protection for killer whales after being sued

The federal government is making it illegal to damage the habitat of critically endangered killer whales off the coast of B.C. - and a coalition of environmental groups is taking...

Stick to a low-cal diet and it will work

People who follow a calorie-restricted diet lose weight equally well regardless of the diet’s details

'Harmless' prion protein linked to Alzheimer's disease

Non-infectious form of prion protein could cause brain degeneration.

New X-Ray Machines Could Kill Food Bacteria

Researchers are experimenting with x-ray technology to zap dangerous bacteria that hide in foods such as leafy greens, tomatoes, ground beef and, most recently, peanuts.  [More]

Fossils reveal early evidence for penetrative sex

Ancient male fish may have had a long, articulated organ for mating.

Ants on the brain

(PhysOrg.com) -- Colonies of social insects such as ants and bees could collectively make decisions using mechanisms similar to those used in primate brains, according to new research from the...

Nanowire forests repel liquids

An oil-repelling surface could prevent leaks from pipelines, say Chinese researchers

The medical power of attraction

Magnetic microbeads that cleanse blood of toxic pathogens could save thousands of lives

Compounds that trigger beta cell replication identified

Researchers at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation (GNF) have identified a set of compounds that can trigger the proliferation of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, using...

Groups want monitoring of turtle, shark 'by-catch'

The Ecology Action Centre in Halifax and the David Suzuki Foundation are calling for a solution to the large incidental 'by-catch' and killing of Atlantic turtles and sharks in the...