Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Invasive alien species may soon cause dramatic global biodiversity loss
An increase of 20 to 30 per cent of invasive non-native (alien) species would lead to dramatic future biodiversity loss worldwide. This is the conclusion of a study by an...
True colors: Scientists discuss evolution of white coloration of velvet ants
Driving across the arid American Southwest, one views miles upon miles of scrubby creosote bushes. Well-adapted to the hot, thirsty landscape, the evergreen shrub, also known as greasewood, chaparral and...
Rhenium add-on tracks gold's moves in cancer cell cultures
Fluorescent labels hint at why potential gold antitumor compounds behave differently around different cancer cell types
Disparities in life expectancy found at census-tract level
Life expectancy in the U.S. varies widely when analyzed at the census-tract level, and the method may provide a more detailed picture of health disparities in the U.S. than other widely used analyses...
What determines a warbler's colors?
A new study has narrowed down the region of the genome that drives the black color in throat and face of warblers by studying the hybrid offspring produced when two...
Converting female mosquitoes to non-biting males with implications for mosquito control
Virginia Tech researchers have proven that a single gene can convert female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes into fertile male mosquitoes and identified a gene needed for male mosquito flight.
Ancient oyster shells provide historical insights
An interdisciplinary team of scientists studying thousands of oyster shells along the Georgia coast, some as old as 4,500 years, has published new insights into how Native Americans sustained oyster...
Scientists achieve first complete assembly of human X chromosome
Although the current human reference genome is the most accurate and complete vertebrate genome ever produced, there are still gaps in the DNA sequence, even after two decades of improvements....
A biologist and a historian are looking for art to trace fruit and vegetable evolution
Plant geneticists seeking to understand the history of the plants we eat can decode the genomes of ancient crops from rare, well-preserved samples. However, this approach leaves significant gaps in...
How California went from a rapid reopening to a second closing in one month
Two months ago, California looked like a coronavirus success story. Now cases and hospitalizations are up and the state is rolling back its reopening.
What determines a warbler's colors?
A new study has narrowed down the region of the genome that drives the black color in throat and face of warblers by studying the hybrid offspring produced when two...
Converting female mosquitoes to non-biting males with implications for mosquito control
Researchers have proven that a single gene can convert female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes into fertile male mosquitoes and identified a gene needed for male mosquito flight.
Watch: Honey leaking through walls alerts Pennsylvania couple to bee infestation
A Pennsylvania family who found a mysterious sticky substance dripping from their walls discovered the thick liquid was honey and their walls were full of bees.
The geographies of COVID-19
A pneumonia of unknown cause was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 31 December 2019 in China's Hubei Province.
Biologist, historian to trace fruit, vegetable evolution through art
A biologist and art historian say depictions of fruits and vegetables in art can help trace their evolution, and they are seeking more pieces to help future studies on the...
Sports transfers in California rise during 2019-20 school year despite coronavirus
CIF data show a small increase in transfers year over year despite the coronavirus outbreak slowing down transfers during the spring.
Airlines cancel 60 more orders for Boeing 737 Max
Boeing announced on Tuesday that airlines have canceled orders for dozens more of its troubled 737 Max, which has now been grounded worldwide for 16 months.
Drones and artificial intelligence show promise for conservation of farmland bird nests
Every spring, a large number of ground-nests of farmland birds are accidentally destroyed by mechanical operations, such as ploughing and sowing. A new study shows for the first time that...
Avian speciation: Uniform vs. particolored plumage
Although carrion crows and hooded crows are almost indistinguishable genetically, they avoid mating with each other. Researchers have now identified a mutation that appears to contribute to this instance of...
Scientists ID gene responsible for deadly glioblastoma
The discovery of the oncogene responsible for glioblastoma could be the brain cancer's Achilles' heel, one researcher says.
Experts' high-flying study reveals secrets of soaring birds
New research has revealed when it comes to flying the largest of birds don't rely on flapping to move around. Instead they make use of air currents to keep them...
Watch: Bear opens front door, goes into house to look for pizza
Security cameras at a home in Ontario were recording when a black bear walked in through the front door and foraged for pizza.
Turning off “junk DNA” may free stem cells to become neurons
For every cell in the body there comes a time when it must decide what it wants to do for the rest of its life. In an article published in...
Placenta lacks major molecules used by SARS-CoV-2 virus to cause infection
he placental membranes that contain the fetus and amniotic fluid lack the messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule required to manufacture the ACE2 receptor, the main cell surface receptor used by the...
Human Sperm Stem Cells Grown in Lab
Infertility affects one in seven men of reproductive age worldwide. One idea for treating male sterility is spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) therapy. In this approach, sperm stem cells in the...
Scientists discover key element of strong antibody response to COVID-19
Scientists have discovered a common molecular feature found in many of the human antibodies that neutralize SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Grant Imahara, 'MythBusters' and 'White Rabbit Project' host, dead at 49
Grant Imahara, who hosted Discovery's "MythBusters" and Netflix's "White Rabbit Project," has died at the age of 49.
Finding the missing step of an important molecular process
Lysine is an important amino acid that must be supplied in our diets, as our bodies can't produce lysine on their own. Most cereal grains have low levels of lysine,...