Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Healthy Parents Provide Clues To Survival Of Young Haddock On Georges Bank
In 2003, haddock on Georges Bank experienced the largest baby boom ever documented for the stock, with an estimated 800 million new young fish entering the population. With typical annual...
Olfactory Receptor Neurons Select Which Odor Receptors To Express
Scientists have looked at the problem of understanding the regulatory mechanisms that create different cells from a single template by using the olfactory system of the fruit fly. The ability...
Structure Of Salt Lake Archaeal Virus Solved In Finland
Researchers have solved the structure of archaeal virus SH1 to the resolution of one nanometer. The results that shed new light on the evolution of viruses.
The Secret Behind Silkworm's Hardy Stomachs
Researchers have found that silkworms produce a special digestive enzyme, previously not found in any animals, that is not affected by the toxic chemicals found in mulberry leaves.
Heat, Not Light, May Be Real Engine Driving Biodiversity
The diversity of species increases from the poles to the tropics, but until now bacteria were thought to be an exception. A new study shows that bacteria follow the same...
Controlling Invasive Species: When The Butterfly Bush Blossoms
Invasive plant species can flourish better in their new homes than in their place of origin. The reasons for this can be genetic changes or the lack of herbivores such...
Molecular Fingerprint Of Cocaine Addiction Revealed
The first large-scale analysis of proteins in the brains of monkeys addicted to cocaine reveals new information on how long-term cocaine use changes the amount and activity of various proteins...
Brain Cells Help Neighboring Nerves Regenerate
Researchers have uncovered a completely unexpected way that the brain repairs nerve damage, wherein cells known as astrocytes deliver a protective protein to nearby neurons.
New Threat To Spotted Owl Exposed
A new study provides a baseline distribution of blood parasites and strains in spotted owls, suggesting a more fragile immune health than previously understood for the already threatened Northern and...
Organic Free Grazing Cows Are Cream Of The Crop
Organic farmers who let their cows graze as nature intended are producing better quality milk. Milk from grazing cows on organic farms in the UK contains significantly higher beneficial fatty...
Giant flying reptiles preferred to walk
New research into gigantic flying reptiles has found that they weren`t all gull-like predators grabbing fish from the water but that some were strongly adapted for life on the ground.
Family feuds -- why close relatives keep their distance in the animal kingdom
Mammals cannot share their habitat with closely related species because the need for the same kind of food and shelter would lead them to compete to the death, according to...
Large-scale community protein annotation -- WikiProteins
Today sees the launch of a new collaborative website initially focusing on proteins and their role in biology and medicine. The WikiProfessional technology underlying the site has been developed based...
New Technique Allows Targeted Inactivation Of Genes In Research Model
A new technique improves the ability of scientists to target individual genes for inactivation -- a technique with broad potential implications for both basic science research and human disease.
Mexico Navy hunts for sharks after attacks
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The Mexican Navy searched for sharks in the ocean near Pacific surfing beaches on Monday, after two bathers were killed and another maimed in a rare...
Vatican unveils restored pagan tomb
Female albatrosses shack up
What happens when there is a shortage of males and a female wants to have a family? In the case of the Laysan albatross, females shack up with each other...
Tigers, Elephants Returning to War-Torn Cambodia Forest
Just as wildlife begins to trickle back to the protected Mondulkiri reserve, a development boom may put more pressure on the fragile environment, experts say.
DNA Fingerprinting Identifies Bean in Patent Dispute
A UC Davis plant scientist played a key role in settling a controversial intellectual property dispute that resulted in the recent rejection of a nine-year-old U.S. patent for a common...
East coast horseshoe crabs poised for recovery
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Restrictions by U.S. east coast states on harvesting horseshoe crabs, whose eggs provide food for endangered migrating shore birds, have boosted the animal's population after years of...
How buckyballs hurt cells
A new study into the potential health hazards of the revolutionary nano-sized particles known as ‘buckyballs’ predicts that the molecules are easily absorbed into animal cells, providing a possible explanation...
Weizmann Institute scientists produce the first smell map
Is the smell of almonds closer to that of roses or bananas? Weizmann Institute scientists have now answered that question (roses) by showing for the first time that smells can...
UCLA researchers identify leukemia stem cells
Stem cell researchers at UCLA have identified a type of leukemia stem cell and uncovered the molecular and genetic mechanisms that cause a normal blood stem cells to become cancerous.
Researchers use fungus to improve corn-to-ethanol process
Growing a fungus in some of the leftovers from ethanol production can save energy, recycle more water and improve the livestock feed that`s a co-product of fuel production, according to...
Some Pitfalls of Genetic Testing
The deciphering of the human genome has prompted a number of entrepreneurs to cash in on people’s genetic concerns.
Building A Better DNA Molecule
Scientists have demonstrated that a mathematical concept called recursion can be applied to constructing flawless synthetic DNA molecules. The ideal molecules are created in successive rounds in which faultless segments...
A Protein's Role In Enabling AIDS Virus To Reproduce Detailed
Scientists have discovered new details about how a simian strain of the AIDS virus replicates. The findings are significant because they suggest new strategies to prevent replication, and because they...
DNA Clues To Reproductive Behavior
A species of wild yeast goes through a cycle of sexual reproduction once in every 1,000 asexual generations, according to new research. The study focused on the wild yeast Saccharomyces...