Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Accumulating extra genome copies may protect fly brain cells during aging
Scientists have discovered a novel anti-aging defense in the brain cells of adult fruit flies: producing extra copies of the genome, according to a new study.
Study shines new light on how young tree seedlings develop
The first few weeks of a tree seedling's life can be the most precarious.
Study revealing structure of a protein complex may open doors to better disease research
More than two decades ago scientists discovered the Arp2/3 complex, an actin (cellular protein) cytoskeketal nucleator which plays a crucial role in cell division, immune response, neurodevelopment other biological processes....
Before eyes open, they get ready to see?
A research team's computational simulations demonstrated that the waves of spontaneous neural activity in the retinas of still-closed eyes in mammals develop long-range horizontal connections in the visual cortex during...
Plant living with only one leaf reveals fundamental genetics of plant growth
Clinging to the walls of tropical caves is a type of plant with a single leaf that continues to grow larger for as long as the plant survives. Researchers hope...
Scientists catalogue shark and ray distribution in Florida lagoon
A study is the first long-term, in-depth analysis of the elasmobranch community in Florida's Indian River Lagoon and develops capacity to understand how these species may respond to further environmental...
New tool for identifying endangered corals could aid conservation efforts
Coral conservation efforts could get a boost from a newly developed genotyping "chip"—the first of its kind for corals. The chip allows researchers to genetically identify corals and the symbiotic...
A case for botanical gardens to lead in global plant crisis
The world is experiencing a sixth global mass extinction event, and a new paper advocates that botanical gardens are uniquely positioned to preserve the world's plant diversity.
Researchers discover a new way cells can dispose of misfolded proteins
During the process of cellular protein synthesis mistakes can happen. Sometimes, proteins end up being misfolded. They do not shape up into the specific 3-D structure that is required for...
Enzyme prisons: Cell signaling with just one molecule
A team at the Max Dellbruck Center has answered a question that has puzzled scientists for some 40 years. In the journal Cell, the group explains how cells are able...
Scientists catalogue shark and ray distribution in Florida lagoon
Many elasmobranch species, which include sharks, skates, and rays, use estuaries as nurseries, for birthing, and as foraging grounds. Florida's Indian River Lagoon is one of 28 estuaries designated as...
Pots of gold engineered to help with early disease detection
Researchers have developed biosensors that use nanoengineered porous gold which more effectively detect early signs of disease, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Two major microbial groups living deep underground can't breathe
A new scientific study has revealed unique life strategies of two major groups of microbes that live below Earth's surface. These groups, originally thought to rely on symbiotic relationships with...
How zebrafish maintain efficient and fair foraging behaviors
New insight on how zebrafish achieve near-optimal foraging efficiency and fairness among groups has been published today.
The secret life of melons revealed: 'Jumping sequences' may alter gene expression
Researchers find that retrotransposons (a.k.a. 'jumping sequences') may affect gene expression in melons.
Two Strains of Polio Down, One to Go
It could be the second human disease we eradicate—but if we don’t finish the job, resurgence is possible -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Accumulating extra genome copies may protect fly brain cells during aging
Scientists have discovered a novel anti-aging defense in the brain cells of adult fruit flies: producing extra copies of the genome, according to a new study published today in eLife.
How zebrafish maintain efficient and fair foraging behaviours
New insight on how zebrafish achieve near-optimal foraging efficiency and fairness among groups has been published today in the open-access journal eLife.
Study revealing structure of a protein complex may open doors to better disease research
More than two decades ago scientists discovered the Arp2/3 complex, an actin (cellular protein) cytoskeketal nucleator which plays a crucial role in cell division, immune response, neurodevelopment other biological processes....
Blocking cellular communication stops SARS-CoV-2
In the transmission of signals within the cell which, for example, stimulate cell growth or trigger metabolic processes, phosphate groups play an important biochemical role. The phosphate groups are often...
Under The Sea In 3D
Texas A&M University is one of 16 institutions nationally participating in the effort, known as “Open Vertebrate Exploration in 3D,” or oVert. By 2021, the project seeks to scan 20,000...
Each human gut has a viral “fingerprint”
Each person’s gut virus composition is as unique as a fingerprint, according to the first study to assemble a comprehensive database of viral populations in the human digestive system. An...
Scientists create protein models to explore toxic methylmercury formation
A team led by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory created a computational model of the proteins responsible for the transformation of mercury to toxic methylmercury, marking a...
Conceptual model shows why changes in rain may matter more than temperature changes to tropical animals
Precipitation patterns, along with temperature, dictate where tropical forests are distributed around the world. Surprisingly, though, scientists know very little about the direct effects of rainfall on tropical animals.
Plant living with only one leaf reveals fundamental genetics of plant growth
Clinging to the walls of tropical caves is a type of plant with a single leaf that continues to grow larger for as long as the plant survives. Researchers at...
Column: Billboards that follow you? It's not sci-fi. They're already here
Clear Channel is rolling out technology in Europe that tracks people after they pass a billboard. The company has been doing this in the U.S. for years.
Hope takes flight: L.A.'s Natural History Museum will reopen its Butterfly Pavilion & gardens
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County will open its Butterfly Pavilion to members starting Aug. 28 and to the public on Sept. 11.
New study shows evolutionary breakdown of 'social' chromosome in ants
Scientists from Queen Mary University of London have found that harmful mutations accumulating in the fire ant social chromosome are causing its breakdown.