Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Mizzou scientist moves closer to MD solution
Muscular dystrophy, which affects approximately 250,000 people in the United States, occurs when damaged muscle tissue is replaced with fibrous, bony or fatty tissue and loses function. While scientists have...
Critically Endangered Cheetahs In Algeria Snapped With Camera Trap
A survey of the Sahara has captured the first camera-trap photographs of the critically endangered Saharan cheetah in Algeria. Overall, the survey identified four different Saharan cheetahs --- a subspecies...
Molecule Helps Sleep-deprived Rebound Mentally
Sleep experts know that the mental clarity lost because of a few sleepless nights can often be restored with a good night's rest. Now, researchers have identified a key molecular...
New book expands field data available on orangutans
Great Ape Trust of Iowa scientist Dr. Serge Wich and three other internationally respected orangutan experts have edited a book set for release in the United States this month that,...
Technique tricks bacteria into generating their own vaccine
Scientists have developed a way to manipulate bacteria so they will grow mutant sugar molecules on their cell surfaces that could be used against them as the key component in...
Recipes for Health: Fish Couscous
This spicy fish stew served over couscous is easy to make — don’t let the long list of ingredients deter you — and great for a dinner party.
Chilli peppers continue to help unravel mechanism of pain sensation
Capsaicin, the active ingredient in chilli peppers, generally is viewed as an irritant that produces a burning sensation when applied to a sensitive area of the body, such as the...
New method of brain stimulation created
CLEVELAND, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have developed a new wireless method of brain stimulation using light-activated semiconductor nanoparticles.
UAB researchers report breakthrough in HPV research
UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) researchers have developed a new, inexpensive and efficient method for producing and studying a type of human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer. The...
Thousands threatened by unregulated fishery
After 40 years of unregulated cyanide and dynamite fishing thousands of people in the western Philippines are in danger of losing their livelihoods...
Cholesterol-reducing drugs may lessen brain function
Research by an Iowa State University scientist suggests that cholesterol-reducing drugs known as statins may lessen brain function...
Shape-shifting coral evade identification
The evolutionary tendency of corals to alter their skeletal structure makes it difficult to assign them to different species. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Evolutionary Biology have...
First Step Towards A World Reclassification Of Viruses
Scientist have discovered the structure of a biological protein from the vaccinia virus. This is a significant step towards unlocking effective therapies to treat viruses.
Houseplant pest gives clue to potential new anthrax treatment
Researchers at the University of Warwick have found how a citric acid-based Achilles heel used by a pathogen that attacks the popular African Violet house plant could be exploited not...
Reading DNA base by base
A technique to electrically detect DNA bases from a single DNA strand could lead to cheap and simple sequencing
Insight Into Ways Organ Systems Outside The Brain May Affect Alzheimer's Disease
A new study provides insights into the way A-beta in the peripheral blood stream affects A-beta clearance in the brain. Scientists found that when circulating A-beta levels in the blood...
Breaking The Barrier: Discovery Of Anti-resistance Factors And Novel Ocean Drugs
Investigations into coral disease, red tides and other marine environmental issues have led to discoveries of new chemicals as a source for pharmaceuticals. These chemicals function as antibiotics for microorganism...
Figuring Out Green Power: Scientists Speed Up Discovery Of Plant Metabolism Genes
Researchers are dramatically speeding up identification of genes that affect the structure and function of chloroplasts, which could lead to plants tailored specifically for biofuel production or delivering high levels...
From One Genome, Many Types of Cells. But How?
Understanding the epigenome has become a major frontier of research. New findings suggests that chromatin does a lot more than hold chromosomes together.
Rainforest grown coffee bad for birds
Despite common belief, growing coffee under the canopy of Ethiopian rainforests leads to a decline in bird numbers, new research has found.
Southern plants stuck in their ways
Plants from the south rarely adapt to live in new habitats, despite millions of years of evolutionary change, an international research team has discovered.
Enzyme cleans up pesticide
Researchers have found an enzyme that can break down the harmful residue from atrazine – a widely used pesticide – quickly and easily.
Research unravels genomic secret
An Australian researcher has discovered a unique role of non-coding RNA, and has shed light on a genomic mystery - what do we do with 98 per cent of our...
"Nanofoods" Offer Big Flavor, Low Fat, Stealth Vitamins
Scientists say specially engineered microscopic particles could lead to healthier mayonnaise, low-salt junk food, fish oil-enriched bread, and more.
PHOTOS: TB's Jump From Humans to Mongooses Studied
It's well known that animals can give diseases to humans. But now the first known case of humans transmitting a disease to wildlife is being analyzed in Africa.
Portable kit may one day detect plant disease before disastrous outbreak
This science may literally be outside the box: A briefcase-sized kit is carried to a field where thousands of tons of food are growing. The search is for microorganisms that...
Pack 'Em In -- Gold Nanoparticles Improve Gene Regulation
Investigators at Northwestern University have found that packing small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules onto the surface of a gold nanoparticle can protect siRNAs from degradation and increase their ability to...
Microfluidic Device Mimics Tumor Microenvironment, Helps Drug Discovery Efforts
One of the challenges that cancer researchers face in designing new antitumor agents is that of predicting how drug molecules will behave in the complex microenvironment that surrounds a tumor....