Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Cat stranded 50 feet up New Jersey tree rescued after three days
A New Jersey town enlisted the help of a professional tree climber to rescue a cat that was stranded for three days on a high branch of a tall tree.
Jellyfish contain no calories, so why do they still attract predators?
They contain no carbohydrates. No fats. No proteins. Not much else but water. Still, the moon jellies (Aurelia aurita) are eaten by predators in the sea; fish, crustaceans, sea anemones...
Avoiding single-use plastic was becoming normal until coronavirus. Here's how we can return to good habits
As COVID-19 restrictions start to ease, we're unlikely to return to our previous behaviours, from our work-life balance to maintaining good hygiene.
New protein complex gets chromosomes sorted
It is no secret that DNA, in the form of chromosomes, is the building block of life. Incorrect distribution of chromosomes during cell division can have disastrous consequences. Unbalanced chromosome...
Study: Human impact throws tree seeding out of sync
Human impacts on the environment are changing many biological responses, with effects on rare species and human health, but predicting such responses is complicated, according to a new paper by...
Quantifying the building blocks of DNA is now easier thanks to a novel technique
A highly sensitive and easy-to-use technique applicable for tissue samples can be useful, for example, to researchers specialized in mitochondrial diseases and cancer.
Microplastics found in gut of remote Antarctic hexapod
A team of researchers from the University of Siena, University College Dublin and Elettra–Sincrotrone Trieste, have found evidence of microplastics in the guts of remote Antarctic hexapods. In their paper...
Phylogenetic analysis confirms existence of five goral species
Researchers have recognized one to seven species of goral gorals (Naemorhedus spp., Caprinae, Bovidae), small goat antelopes. However, the phylogenetics remains unclear because of limited genetic data.
Disney renews 'Amphibia' for Season 3
Disney Channel has announced it ordered a third season of "Amphibia," an animated comedy featuring a voice cast led by Brenda Song.
The way of the dragon: Lost lizard found after 10-day, 4-km hike through Winnipeg
An Elmwood man who spent 10 days searching for his pet bearded dragon is breathing easier today.
Coronavirus: Looking for viruses in Thai bats
Thai scientists are collecting bats to find clues about the origins of viruses, including Covid-19.
Environmental DNA detection could cut pathogens in pet trade
As the SARS-CoV-2 puts new focus on zoonotic pathogens, a Washington State University researcher has developed a method to use environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect disease in the vast international...
Deadly Aussie snakes, magpies seized from suspected traffickers
A cache of native Australian animals—including some of the country's deadliest snakes and a bird known for its swooping attacks—was seized Wednesday in raids on suspected international wildlife traffickers, police...
Scientists use protein, RNA to make hollow, spherical sacks called vesicles
Using protein and RNA, scientists have created hollow, spherical sacks known as vesicles. These bubble-like entities -- which form spontaneously when specific protein and RNA molecules are mixed in an...
Size matters in the sex life of salmon
For Atlantic salmon, size matters when it comes to love. Larger males and females that may spend up to four years at sea produce many more babies, but they are...
Biologists unravel tangled mystery of plant cell growth
When cells don't divide into proper copies of themselves, living things fail to grow as they should. For the first time, scientists now understand how a protein called TANGLED1 can...
Ultra rare Pokemon card expected to fetch up to $100,000
An extremely rare Pokemon card, thought to be one of only seven ever produced, is up for auction online and experts said it could sell for up to $100,000.
Scientists use protein, RNA to make hollow, spherical sacks called vesicles
Using protein and RNA, scientists have created hollow, spherical sacks known as vesicles.
'Nature knows what to do': Renewal at fire-ravaged Waterton Park
When Waterton National Park burned, even some conservationists wondered what would become of the picturesque mountain ecosystem.
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.
Size matters in the sex life of salmon
For Atlantic salmon, size matters when it comes to love. Larger males and females that may spend up to four years at sea produce many more babies, but they are...
Biomechanical analyses and computer simulations reveal the Venus flytrap snapping mechanisms
The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) takes only 100 milliseconds to trap its prey. Once their leaves, which have been transformed into snap traps, have closed, insects can no longer escape....
'Chicken Run' sequel coming to Netflix
"Chicken Run 2," a sequel to the 2000 stop-motion animated film, is in development, with Mel Gibson's role to reportedly be recast.
Watch: Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker reunite in person on 'Today'
Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker saw each other for the first time in months during a "Today" segment in Hudson, N.Y.
Sumatran tiger killed in suspected poisoning
A Sumatran tiger has been found dead in a suspected poisoning, an Indonesian official said Tuesday, a day after alleged poachers were charged with killing another of the critically endangered...
Scientists create program that finds synteny blocks in different animals
Modern genetics implies working with immense amounts of data which cannot be processed without the help of complex mathematical algorithms. For this reason, the task of developing special processing programs...
Triggering bacteria in the service of medicine
Bacteria, as it turns out, are a lot like us. They get complacent in relaxed, non-threatening environments. And when they're relaxed, they don't produce defenses that guard against things that...
Escaped 45-pound tortoise wrangled in Illinois neighborhood
An animal control officer in a suburb of Chicago responded to an unusual call that involved her having to wrangle a 45-pound African tortoise.