Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Dramatic past declines of flounder verified and explained
Marine biologist Henri Jokinen investigated how and why flounder populations have decreased in Finnish waters over the past decades, and found that the story involves not one but two different...
New approach drives bacteria to produce potential antibiotic, antiparasitic compounds
Researchers have developed a method to spur the production of new antibiotic or antiparasitic compounds hiding in the genomes of actinobacteria, which are the source of drugs such as actinomycin...
Human interactions with wild and farmed animals must change dramatically to reduce risk of another deadly pandemic
Compiled by a team of international wildlife and veterinary experts, a new study has identified seven routes by which pandemics could occur and 161 options for reducing the risk. It...
How deforestation helps deadly viruses jump from animals to humans
The coronavirus pandemic, suspected of originating in bats and pangolins, has brought the risk of viruses that jump from wildlife to humans into stark focus.
Driving bacteria to produce potential antibiotic, antiparasitic compounds
Researchers have developed a method to spur the production of new antibiotic or antiparasitic compounds hiding in the genomes of actinobacteria, which are the source of the drugs actinomycin and...
Dynamics of DNA replication revealed at the nanoscale
DNA replication is a process of critical importance to the cell, and must be coordinated precisely to ensure that genomic information is duplicated once and only once during each cell...
Evolutionary conflicts predicted
Evolution seems to be an unpredictable process. However, predicting the constraints of evolution is possible. Researchers from AMOLF and the French ESPCI have demonstrated this using their mathematical method, followed...
'Baby Shark's Big Show!': Nickelodeon orders series based on viral hit
Nickelodeon has given the green light to a new animated preschool series titled "Baby Shark's Big Show!," based on the viral "Baby Shark" song and video.
Report finds an historic low for numbers of large wild Atlantic salmon
A group advocating for the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon says the number of adult salmon returning to North America rivers fell to near historic lows last year.
Periodic Graphics: A guide to COVID-19 testing
Chemical educator and Compound Interest blogger Andy Brunning captures the current state of diagnostics for novel coronavirus infection.
Molecular simulations show how drugs block key receptors
Many pharmaceuticals work by targeting what are known as ''G-protein-coupled receptors''. In a new study, scientists describe how they have been able to predict how special molecules that can be...
Genetic malfunction of brain astrocytes triggers migraine
Neuroscientists shed a new light on the mechanisms responsible for familial migraine: They show that a genetic dysfunction in specific brain cells of the cingulate cortex area strongly influences head...
Scientists discover cellular structure of poorly understood visual brain region
The brain's ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN) receives signals from the eye, but it is not associated with classical image-forming. For decades little was known about this brain region's cellular...
Shelling out for dinner: Dolphins learn foraging skills from peers
A new study demonstrates for the first time that dolphins can learn foraging techniques outside the mother-calf bond—showing that they have a similar cultural nature to great apes.
Tiny brains, big surprise: Eavesdropping wasps gain insights about fighting abilities of potential rivals
Paper wasps eavesdrop on fighting rivals to rapidly assess potential opponents without personal risk. This new finding adds to mounting evidence that even mini-brained insects have an impressive capacity to...
The tug-of-war at the heart of cellular symmetry
Symmetry and asymmetry are fundamental properties of nature. Seen from above, butterflies have left-right symmetry, while male fiddler crabs show dramatic asymmetry. This is also the case for the fundamental...
From Jekyll to Hyde: New study pinpoints mutation that makes E. coli deadlier
As far as humans are concerned, bacteria can be classified as either harmful, pathogenic bacteria and harmless or beneficial non-pathogenic bacteria. To develop better treatments for diseases caused by pathogenic...
Plants: the known unknowns which are undermining conservation
We got the 'green' in green issues from the chlorophyll in plants. But the botanical world—which drives the planet's ecosystems—is the Cinderella science, struggling for resources and recognition, struggling even...
Decades‑old teeth are teaching researchers about the life cycles of bottlenose whales
Northern bottlenose whales live in deep waters off the coast of Nova Scotia and southern Newfoundland. An endangered species, they were targets of a century of commercial whaling across the...
Bugs resort to several colors to protect themselves from predators
New research has revealed for the first time that shield bugs use a variety of colors throughout their lives to avoid predators. For years it has been thought that animals...
WWE's Renee Young says she has COVID-19
WWE announcer Renee Young said on Twitter she has COVID-19.
These dogs help keep Alberta free of invasive mussels
A trio of specially trained dogs are on the front lines in Alberta’s battle to keep invasive mussels out of the province’s water bodies.
Resource curse or resource blessing: How major oil discoveries keep autocrats in power
Oil is the most effective natural resource when it comes to keeping despots in power, new research shows.
Look: Bekah Martinez names son Franklin James
"Bachelor" alum Bekah Martinez and her boyfriend, Grayston Leonard, named their newborn son Franklin James.
Bugs resort to several colours to protect themselves from predators
New research has revealed for the first time that shield bugs use a variety of colors throughout their lives to avoid predators.
Agricultural conservation schemes not enough to protect Britain's rarest butterflies
Conservation management around the margins of agriculture fail to protect butterfly species at greatest risk from the intensification of farming, a new study says.
Environmental DNA detection could cut pathogens in pet trade
As the SARS-CoV-2 puts new focus on zoonotic pathogens, a researcher has developed a method to use environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect disease in the vast international trade of aquatic...
Jellyfish contain no calories, so why do they still attract predators?
New study shows that jellyfish are an important food source for many animals. As jellyfish blooms become more frequent and more massive, this could affect marine ecosystems.