Latest science news in Biology & Nature
'Normal' Cells Far From Cancer Give Nanosignals Of Trouble
A new study of human colon, pancreatic and lung cells is the first to report that cancer cells and their non-cancerous cell neighbors, although quite different under the microscope, share...
Landmark project to map genomics of complex ant systems
Emory researchers are tapping the latest-generation DNA sequencing technology to become the first explorers of the genomics of agricultural ant societies.
New monkey discovered in Amazon
Researchers have discovered a new type of long-tailed monkey in the remote reaches of Brazil's Amazon rainforest.
Copernicus Remains Verified by DNA Analysis
DNA analysis of hairs matches supposed remains of Copernicus.
Finding Fear: Neuroscientists Locate Where It Is Stored In The Brain
Neuroscientists using an imaging technique that enabled them to trace the process of neural activation in the brain have pinpointed the neurons where fear conditioning is encoded.
Gene tweak helps salt survival
Researchers have genetically modified plants to be more salt tolerant, by making the plants hold salt in less sensitive areas.
Protecting Polar Bears With New Tracking Methods
A new approach to tracking polar bears will shed more light on the potentially endangered Arctic animal and help boost the economy of Canada's north.
Scientists Reprogram Clearly Defined Adult Cells Into Pluripotent Stem Cells -- Directly And Without Viruses
Researchers have succeeded for the first time in reprogramming clearly defined adult cells into pluripotent stem cells -- directly and without viruses.
Mystery of bat with an extraordinary nose solved
A research paper co-written by a Virginia Tech faculty member explains a 60-year mystery behind a rare bat's nose that is unusually large for its species. The findings soon will...
Protein can help cells or cause cancer, researcher finds
A Purdue University scientist has discovered a key process in cell growth that can lead to the formation of tumors.
Finding the constant in bacterial communication
The Rosetta Stone of bacterial communication may have been found. Although they have no sensory organs, bacteria can get a good idea about what's going on in their neighbourhood and...
Afghan pig gets out of the pen
Afghanistan's only known pig trotted out of quarantine Saturday, two months after he was locked away because of swine flu fears, to bask again in the mud at the Kabul...
Male seahorses like big mates
Male seahorses have a clear agenda when it comes to selecting a mating partner: to increase their reproductive success. By being choosy and preferring large females, they are likely to...
Burnham Institute for Medical Research and Magellan BioScience Group, Inc. Announce Drug Discovery Collaboration
Magellan BioScience Group, Inc., a pioneer in innovative drug development from marine sources, and investigators at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research at Lake Nona announced today that they will...
Receptor Also Active Inside The Cell
Researchers have demonstrated that hormones can also activate their receptors inside the cell. Until now, cell surface expression of hormone receptors was considered a necessity for their ability to transduce...
Study looks at bird brain genetic activity
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., July 7 (UPI) -- U.S. biologists say they've discovered unusual gene activity in the brains of zebra finches occurs after the birds hear a new song...
Plant proteins block invading microbes
DAVIS, Calif., July 7 (UPI) -- U.S. and Danish scientists say they've identified proteins that prevent bacteria from infecting a plant's leaves.
Humans Can Learn to "See" With Sound, Study Says
Like bats and dolphins that can navigate with sound, humans can be trained to echolocate using simple clicks of their tongues, researchers show.
Rare yellow lobster spared from pot by N.B. aquarium
Fiona the lobster is adding a blast of colour to the aquarium of the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, N.B.
Summer Reading List
This summer, I organized two book clubs involving people from people in the Laboratory for Developmental Studies. Here are the books.
Aquatic deer and ancient whales
Two deer species in Asia have been discovered swimming underwater, providing further clues to the origin of whales.
Osprey chicks tagged for tracking
Two of three young birds of prey that hatched in a nest in the Highlands are fitted with satellite tags for monitoring.
Multiple Means Of Identifying Species Better Than DNA Barcoding Alone
DNA barcoding is advocated as a vast improvement in our ability to monitor and manage the world's biodiversity. An expert on the potato and tomato family examined the utility of...
How Can The World's Fisheries Be Sustainable?
A new study provides the first global evaluation of how management practices influence fisheries' sustainability.
Enzyme That Makes Survival Molecule For Key Vision Cells Identified
New research identifies an enzyme that makes neuroprotectin D1 which specifically and selectively protects retinal cells key for vision.
Trio Of Signals Converge To Induce Liver And Pancreas Cell Development In The Embryo
Understanding the molecular signals that guide early cells in the embryo to develop into different organs provides insight into ways that tissues regenerate and how stem cells can be used...
First Land Creatures Had Wild Appearances
The first fish-like animals to squirm out of the sea and onto land were pretty wild looking, new research concludes.
Understanding the anticancer effects of vitamin D3
The active form of vitamin D3 seems to have anticancer effects. To try and understand the mechanisms underlying these effects, researchers previously set out to identify genes whose expression in...