Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Robotics Insights Through Flies' Eyes
To understand how a fly's tiny brain processes visual information efficiently enough to guide its aerobatic feats -- and ultimately to build more capable robots -- researchers have set up...
New Location Found For Regulation Of RNA Fate
Thousands of scientists and hundreds of software programmers studying the process by which RNA inside cells normally degrades may soon broaden their focus significantly. Researchers have discovered that the RNA...
Bacteria Pack Their Own Demise
Numerous pathogens contain an 'internal time bomb', a deadly mechanism that can be used against them. Scientists were able to determine the structure and operating mechanism of the proteins involved....
Observatory: Microscopic Creatures Stir the Oceans
Researchers estimate that ocean mixing caused by small marine creatures was roughly equal to that contributed by winds and tides.
Race plays role in rare deadly tumor
ROCHESTER, Minn., July 31 (UPI) -- A rare tumor called primary central nervous system lymphoma was two times more likely to be found in blacks ages 20 to 49...
Sperm made of stem cells claim retracted
A scientific journal has retracted a controversial paper claiming to have created the first human sperm from embryonic stem cells.
Detente on The Ocean Leads to New Hope for Fisheries
Marine ecologist Boris Worm and fisheries scientist Ray Hilborn go from rivals to friends and team on a global study that shows fisheries management is the key to saving global...
Caught on Video: Immune Cell Destroys Bacteria
In a first, scientists capture in video immune cells consuming bacteria in a living organism.
Drug-proof zebrafish reveal secrets of addiction
The effects of amphetamines on gene expression in zebrafish have been uncovered. This new study, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Genome Biology, provides clues to the genetics that...
Watchers track butterflies for environment signs
(AP) -- The rusty van creaks to a halt and two men jump out, binoculars in hand, heads pivoting. Quickly, questioningly, they call out evocative names: Is that a...
Gene transcribing machine takes halting, backsliding trip along the DNA
The body's nanomachines that read our genes don't run as smoothly as previously thought, according to a new study by University of California, Berkeley, scientists...
Genetic Link To Age-related Cataracts Uncovered
Scientists have discovered the first gene associated with the formation of age-related cataracts, a leading causes of blindness.
Warmer Environment Means Shorter Lives For Cold-blooded Animals
Temperature explains much of why cold-blooded organisms such as fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and lizards live longer at higher latitudes than at lower latitudes, according to new research.
Assisted Reproductive Techniques Alter Expression Of Genes Important For Metabolism
Assisted reproductive techniques alter the expression of genes that are important for metabolism and the transport of nutrients in the placenta of mice. The results underscore the need for greater...
Obama touts stem cell research
WASHINGTON, July 30 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama told department heads Thursday to abide by new rules for "ethically responsible, scientifically worthy" human stem cell research.
Butterflies tracked as a barometer
It's butterfly counting time at a Georgia wildlife refuge. That means a sweaty but fun outing with a serious side: Some researchers worry butterfly populations might be in decline.
Researchers Shed Light on Muscle Growth Regulator
(PhysOrg.com) -- Research at the University of Cincinnati has led to the first published structure of myostatin, a protein that regulates muscle growth in animals, offering hope for major advances...
Battling scientists reach consensus on health of global fish stocks
Many depleted fisheries are making good progress to recovery.
Will a well-mixed, warmer lake doom invasive fish?
(PhysOrg.com) -- The rainbow smelt, an invasive fish that threatens native species such as walleye and perch, may soon be feeling the heat -- literally.
Stress rewires the brain to make rats creatures of habit
Chronic stress rewires the brains of rats to make them creatures of habit who make rote decisions instead of changing their behavior to gain rewards, a study published Thursday has...
Discovery of a mechanism controlling the fate of hematopoietic stem cells
(PhysOrg.com) -- Hematopoietic stem cells are capable of manufacturing all types of blood cells. But which factors influence the production of a specific type of cell? Until now, it was...
New test for safer biomedical research results
In cancer research, as in most other biomedical sciences, they are playing a key role: living cells, kept in sterile plastic containers with red culture media populating incubators in laboratories...
Bent innards give orchid its kick
A flower mechanism for smacking pollen onto bees opens up diverse possibilities for floral architecture
Songbird species found in Laos
A new species of bird with a featherless pink face has been discovered and photographed in a remote part of Southeast Asia.
Human language and dolphin movement patterns show similarities in brevity
Two researchers from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom have shown for the first time that the law of brevity in...
Website to record every species on Earth
Coming soon to a screen near you: The Encyclopedia of Life – a user-generated database of all living things
Rare snake brought back to heaths
A rare species of snake is to be reintroduced in Devon by conservationists and the RSPB after an absence of 50 years.
Proud namesakes
To have a species named after you is one of the greatest compliments in science. But what if the organism in question is a pungent and diminutive penis-shaped fungus?