Latest science news in Biology & Nature
New Pill Fights Fleas and Ticks in Dog and Cat
The first once-a-month pill for controlling both fleas and ticks in dogs and cats is showing promise in tests.
For the First Time, Scientists Photograph Memories Being Formed
Scientists have achieved a new milestone in brain imaging: we have seen a memory in the process of being formed. Using brain cells from a lowly sea slug, which...
Tiny levels of carbon monoxide damage foetal brain
A UCLA study has discovered that chronic exposure during pregnancy to miniscule levels of carbon monoxide damages the cells of the foetal brain, resulting in permanent impairment. The journal BMC...
Melanopsin And Sleep Modulation: A Bright Future For Light Therapy?
Light strongly influences human physiology and notably sleep regulation. Scientists have just published a detailed study on the role of melanopsin, a molecule involved in mediating the effects of light...
Baboon Finding Could Shed Light on Human Evolution
The genetic basis of complex traits may show parallels across different primate species.
Cancer researchers link DICER1 gene mutation to rare childhood cancer
WASHINGTON, DC -- Research published today in Science Express from the journal Science demonstrates the first definitive link between mutations in the gene DICER1 and cancer.
Evolution Of A Contraceptive For Invasive Sea Lamprey
In addition to providing fundamental insights into the early evolution of the estrogen receptor, new research may lead to a contraceptive for female lampreys -- a jawless fish considered an...
Stem cell surprise for tissue regeneration (w/ Podcast)
Scientists working at the Carnegie Institution's Department of Embryology, with colleagues, have overturned previous research that identified critical genes for making muscle stem cells. It turns out that the genes...
Imaging the hypnotised brain: Neural mechanisms of suggested paralysis
Although there is no doubt that hypnosis can impact the mind and behaviour, the underlying brain mechanisms are not well understood. Now, new research provides fascinating insight into the specific...
Gulls' vicious attacks on whales
Gulls off the coast of Argentina bite into whales and eat their blubber.
Can't compete on dung? Try mating on apple pomace
In the mating world of yellow dung flies, large, brawny males almost always get the girl. However, a new study suggests that smaller males rule if presented with an opportunity...
South Asia News in brief: 11–24 June 2009
A GM mosquito is being tested for dengue control, Nepal boosts scientist–farmer collaboration, a new source of biodiesel is found and more.
Japan approves first generic biotech drug
ZURICH (Reuters) - Japanese regulators approved a human growth hormone from Novartis AG, the first green light in Japan for a biosimilar or generic version of a biotech drug, the...
Legless frogs mystery solved
Scientists resolve one of the most controversial environmental issues of the past decade: the curious case of the missing frogs' legs.
Chuffed over choughs' egg success
Bird enthusiasts are celebrating in Cornwall after two pairs of choughs successfully raised eight fledglings.
Basis For Potato Blight Control Becomes Visible
Potato blight, false mildew, sudden oak death and a disease in salmon are all caused by a group of miniscule, yet destructive, organisms called Oomycetes. Because of their changeability and...
Climbing the ladder to longevity: Critical enzyme pair identified
Experiment after experiment confirms that a diet on the brink of starvation expands lifespan in mice and many other species. But the molecular mechanism that links nutrition and survival is...
UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News
FDA approves generic version of Plan B … Saturn moon may have underground ocean … Study: Gout gene forms blood urate … Cordell marine sanctuary threats are ID'd ... Health/Science...
New protein structures replace the old
Dutch software to weed out errors in Protein Data Bank.
US human spacefaring questioned
Review panel takes a hard look at NASA's goal of returning astronauts to the Moon.
Experts examine risks to birds from wind turbines (w/ Video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- Are wind turbines dangerous to billions of migrating birds?
Popular Sudoku Puzzle Inspires DNA-Sequencing Breakthrough
‘DNA Sudoku’, a new genetic sequencing technique inspired by the popular puzzle, could reduce both time and costs in DNA sequencing in the near future, ultimately contributing to the prevention...
Sand Falls Like Water
In high-speed video camera move alongside an accelerating, falling sand to track formation of grain clusters, similar to the formation of water droplets from a faucet.
Neural brain noise may affect our vision
NASHVILLE, June 24 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have determined neural "noise" may cause a person to miss important changes in the environment.
'Cross' Breeding: What Makes An Angry Fly?
A suite of genes that affect aggression in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been identified. By investigating male flies from a large panel of lines which each carry a...
New mechanism for amyloid beta protein's toxic impact on the Alzheimer's brain
Scientists have uncovered a novel mechanism linking soluble amyloid -- protein with the synaptic injury and memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The research, published by Cell Press in...
Magnetism tested as autism treatment
LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 24 (UPI) -- A neuroscientist says a project he is working on at the University of Louisville in Kentucky uses magnetism to treat individuals with...
Brain scans show how hypnosis can paralyze a limb
NEW YORK (AP) -- How can a hypnotist paralyze your hand just with words? By making a part of your brain butt in on the process...