Latest science news in Biology & Nature
RNA on the move
In the fruitfly Drosophila, oskar mRNA, which is involved in defining the animal's body axes, is produced in the nuclei of nurse cells neighboring the oocyte, and must be transported...
Flowers evolved best plumbing
Researchers have discovered when flowering plants gained the advantage over their rivals, with leaves that can carry more water.
How can scientists measure evolutionary responses to climate change?
As global temperatures continue to rise scientists are presented with the complex challenge of understanding how species respond and adapt. In a paper published in Insect Conservation and Diversity, Dr...
A reductionist approach to HIV research
A major obstacle to HIV research is the virus's exquisite specialisation for its human host - meaning that scientists' traditional tools, like the humble lab mouse, can deliver only limited...
New source discovered for the generation of nerve cells in the brain
The research group of Professor Magdalena Gotz of Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munich (Germany) has made a significant advance in understanding regeneration processes in the brain. The researchers discovered...
Research shows power of FRET-based approach for distinguishing among distinct states of proteins
In the December 2009 issue of the Journal of General Physiology (www.jgp.org), Moss et al. report a comprehensive investigation employing Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to study the {gamma}-amino acid...
Do Titan's Lakes Migrate South for the Winter?
Orbital cycles of Saturn's moon could be causing lakes to pull up stakes [Read more]
Synapses form rapidly in motor learning
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- University of California-Santa Cruz scientists say they have found new brain cell connections begin to form almost immediately as animals learn a...
Plan to breed lab monkeys splits Puerto Rican town
(AP) -- Puerto Rico has such a bad history with research monkeys running amok that some residents are stunned that its government has tentatively approved a plan to import...
It takes two to infect: Structural biologists shed light on mechanism of invasion protein
Bacteria are quite creative when infecting the human organism. They invade cells, migrate through the body, avoid an immune response and misuse processes of the host cell for their own...
Seeing family for the holidays? Scientists discover how the stress might kill you
If you ever thought the stress of seeing your extended family over the holidays was slowly killing you -- bad news: a new research report in the December 2009 print...
Bottom-up approach vital for climate projects in Africa
Africa needs grassroots participation to benefit from the Clean Development Mechanism, argues Durando Ndongsok.
Immunity-Related Genes in Leafcutting Bee Uncovered
(PhysOrg.com) -- The first analysis of immunity-related genes in a solitary bee has been conducted by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and cooperators.
Aussie fish to have check up
A new study aims to find out whether freshwater fish in Australia are struggling, a problem that could increase mosquito-born diseases.
Spider Builds Body Double to Catch Prey
Well-placed decoys help orb spiders elude attack.
Right/left handedness of snails changed in the lab
(PhysOrg.com) -- Like most animals, snails have either left- or right-handed asymmetry (chirality), both internally and externally, and the handedness is hereditary. A new study has for the first time...
Freeze Protector Is Protein-free
Biochemistry: First-in-class natural antifreeze from Alaskan beetle has carbohydrate and lipid components.
Historic science papers go online
The Royal Society marks the start of its 350th year by putting 60 of its most memorable research papers online.
Science Weekly Extra podcast: EO Wilson on the immense, hidden loss of species
This is an extended extract of a phone interview with biologist, author and conservation campaigner EO Wilson. The problem of biodiversity loss has been "eased off centre stage" as the...
Wellbutrin alternative didn't help
Is there anything new on the generic version of Wellbutrin XL? My wife had done well on the brand name and then the Watson generic bupropion for several years. She...
Australian scientists aim to reduce sheep burps
Australian scientists are working to breed a sheep that belches less, as they look for ways to reduce harmful methane emissions from the country's woolly flocks, a researcher said Sunday.
Habitat loss has 'domino effect'
Clearing habitats like grasslands or forests has a follow-on effect and can damage neighbouring ecosystems, a new report has found.
New TNM staging for skin melanoma
The latest version of the AJCC TNM staging system for cutaneous melanoma has been released (based on 30,946 cases). The main changes are the following: 1) mitotic rate (added); 2)...
Measuring and modeling blood flow in malaria
When people have malaria, they are infected with Plasmodium parasites, which enter the body from the saliva of a mosquito, infect cells in the liver, and then spread to red...
'Glow-in-the-dark' red blood cells made from human stem cells
Stem cell scientists have modified a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line to glow red when the stem cells become red blood cells. The modified hESC line, ErythRED, represents a...
How HIV is assembled and released from infected cells
The HIV/AIDS virus continues to ravage populations worldwide. Using a novel combination of optical techniques, researchers visualize how virus particles assemble and are released from infected cells to find new...
Protecting the Forests, and Hoping for Payback
To the list of essential functions proclaimed for the giant evergreens of the West, add protection against climate change.
Japanese company raises safe puffer fish
YOKOHAMA, Japan, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- An aquaculture company in Japan says it raised 50,000 fogu, or puffer fish, that are non-poisonous when consumed.