Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Rare Albino Whale Spotted
Migaloo, a twentysomething rare white humpback whale was seen this week along Australia's east coast, where he's migrating northward with other humpbacks. Video.
Loss of world's seagrass beds seen accelerating
MIAMI (Reuters) - The world's seagrass meadows, a critical habitat for marine life and profit-maker for the fishing industry, are in decline due to coastal development and the losses are...
Biological 'Fountain Of Youth' Found In New World Bat Caves
Scientists are batty over a new discovery which could lead to the single most important medical breakthrough in human history -- significantly longer lifespans. The discovery shows that proper protein...
A bird's eye view of art
Pigeons could be art critics yet, according to a new study which shows that like humans, pigeons can be trained to tell the difference between 'good' and 'bad' paintings. According...
Scientific System Accurately Predicts Spread Of H1N1
A new scientific system designed to rapidly evaluate the world's air traffic patterns, accurately predicted how the H1N1 virus would spread around the world.
Straighten Up and Fly Right: Moths Benefit More from Flexible Wings than Rigid
New research using high-speed digital imaging shows that, at least for some insects, wings that flex and deform, something like what happens to a heavy beach towel when you snap...
Toad Toes Under the Microscope
Researchers at The University of Findlay are looking at toad toes this summer as they study the hybridization of two species. The project is in collaboration with Arizona State University.
The tiny difference in the genes of bacteria
It is based on detecting short, repetitive DNA segments in the genome of bacteria. Every single bacterial strain has such characteristic repeats. "With this method we are able to identify...
Neural stem cell differentiation factor discovered
Neural stem cells represent the cellular backup of our brain. These cells are capable of self-renewal to form new stem cells or differentiate into neurons, astrocytes or oligodendrocytes. Astrocytes have...
Toxic chemicals affect steroid hormones differently in humans and invertebrates
In a study with important consequences for studies on the effects of chemicals on steroid responses in humans, a team of French and American scientists, including Michael E. Baker, PhD,...
A thirst for blood sparks toxic algal blooms
The blooming of toxic algae that occurs during the summer conceal a fight for life and death.
Your own private global warming
A group of researchers from the British Antarctic Survey have collected individuals from a wide range of species commonly found in Antarctic waters and subjected them to increasing levels of...
Flies avoid a plant's poison using a newly identified taste mechanism
Many plants protect themselves from hungry animals by producing toxic chemicals. In turn, animals rely on detecting the presence of these harmful chemicals to avoid consuming dangerous plant material. A...
Water should be a human right
In this months PLoS Medicine Editorial, the editors argue that - despite recent international objections - access to clean water should be recognised as a human right...
Gene map aims to combat blood flukes
The first microsatellite-based genetic linkage map has been published for Schistosoma mansoni, a blood fluke that is known to infect over 90 million people in Africa, the Middle East and...
Mechanical mandible aids research
A robot jaw, designed to mimic the action of the human mouth, has been developed by a team of scientists at Bristol University.
Water restrictions stir dischord
A researcher has found that many Aussies are fed up with hearing about water restrictions, but would pay extra to inform on neighbours.
Birds with a nose for a difference
Avoidance of inbreeding is evident amongst humans, and has been demonstrated in some shorebirds, mice and sand lizards. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Evolutionary Biology now report...
The tiny difference in the genes of bacteria
Researchers from Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Germany, develop new method for better diagnostic of diarrhoea causing bacteria...
Carbon Nanotubes Continue To Show Promise in Battle Against Cancer
Carbon nanotubes, one of the original engineered nanomaterials, also may prove to be among the most versatile, as numerous teams of investigators continue to develop novel nanotube-based therapeutic and diagnostic...
National Briefing | Midwest: Wolves to Return to Endangered List
More than 4,000 gray wolves in the western Great Lakes region are going back on the federal endangered species list, at least temporarily.
Health-related Loss In Salmon Farming
New research shows that health-related loss in modern salmon farming may be systematically monitored and quantified, both in biological and economical terms.
DNA Mutation That Occurs At Beginning Point Of T-cell Lymphoma Identified
Researchers have identified a key mechanism that causes chromosomes within blood cells to break -- an occurrence that marks the first step in the development of human lymphoma.
Scientists Tackle Viral Mysteries
A recent study focuses on the intersection of these two scientific puzzles, resulting in new discoveries about how one herpes virus known to cause cancer may reactivate when the infected...
Dark side of the sun
As a specialist in skin disorders and cancers, Dr. Janellen Smith sees firsthand what too much sun can do. Sunburns and accelerated skin aging are common results, but excessive sun...
Ladybird 'risk to 1,000 species'
The invasive Harlequin ladybird is putting over 1,000 species in the UK in peril, according to scientists.
Hybrid "Superpredator" Invading California Ponds
Mating between a native salamander and an introduced species has created a monster—at least for animals that dwell in the ponds of California's Salinas River Valley.
Saving (Just the Popular) Species
Saving species has become a popularity contest that favors "the furry, the feathered, the famous and the edible."