Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Oil Spill Pushes Biologists to Count Sharks
Scientists Checking How Many Sharks Swimming in Gulf Now to Later Determine Spill's Effect on Species
Shrimpers, Not Oil? A Dead Turtle Inquiry
Around 35 endangered sea turtles have washed up dead on Gulf Coast beaches since Sunday. Investigators are looking into whether shrimpers fishing in the gulf were responsible.
Scientists uncover alternative pathway of microRNA generation
MicroRNAs control gene expression with the help of a unique class of proteins called Argonautes. Researchers now report that in animal cells, one of Argonautes, called Ago2, has a different...
Scientists identify seamounts as significant, unexplored territory
Scientists from NOAA and Texas A and M University - Corpus Christi were astounded to find that seamounts, mountains that rise from the seafloor, rank as some of the most...
How important is geographical isolation in speciation?
A genetic study of island lizards shows that even those that have been geographically isolated for many millions of years have not evolved into separate species as predicted by conventional...
New vaccines may come from forcing Giardia parasite to display its many disguises
The intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia changes outfits nearly as often as a fashion model on a Parisian runway. With more than 200 protein coats in its molecular wardrobe, this troublesome...
Biochemist unlocks gene's role in breast-tumor growth
New research helps explain why breast-milk cells lose their structure, causing them to clump up in strange ways and sometimes become cancer tumors.
Scientists study effects of grazing on grouse habitat
Scientists are taking a careful look at how grazing cattle affect sage-grouse habitat on high desert rangelands.
Researcher explores role of human behavior in infectious disease emergence
A wildlife scientist has examined how different human behaviors influence disease transmission between domestic dogs and the African wild dog, an endangered species.
Turtles vs. Tourism in Puerto Rico
Environmental groups are asking federal officials to designate a prime tourist development area in Puerto Rico a critical habitat for the endangered leatherback turtle.
30-Second Science: Using Scents to Restore Old Books, Fight Infestation, and Improve Behavior
Sniffing Between the Lines iStock; Paula Bronstein/Getty ImagesThree ways that scientists are using the fifth sense Sniffing Between the Lines To the novice nose, all old books have a similar musty scent. But...
Genome scan shows man's heart, cancer risks
The next time Stephen Quake is prescribed a drug, he can consult his genome to see if there are any warning signs in his DNA about a possible bad reaction.
Louisville Zoo's injured baby gorilla improving
A baby gorilla who was injured in a skirmish with older members of her family group at the Louisville Zoo is getting better as keepers care for her continuously outside...
Recipes for Health: Hot and Sour Peanut Sauce
This pungent, spicy sauce goes well with buckwheat noodles and a number of grains.
Scientist: China avoiding honey tariff
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 30 (UPI) -- Honey from China is entering the United States illegally to avoid expensive tariffs, a Texas scientist who tracks the origins of pollen...
Let there be light: Researchers discover new technology for controlling proteins
Researchers in Germany have succeeded in constructing small protein fragments which can block the incorrectly regulated gene expression. The scientists developed a mechanism which allows these inhibitors to be switched...
Cameroon panic as elephants flee
Wildlife officials in Cameroon are hunting for scores of elephants, who escaped from a nature reserve, sparking panic in nearby villages.
Surface chemistry helps direct stem cell fate
UK scientists have developed a method to control the behaviour and fate of stem cells using chemically-defined nanopatterned surfaces
Why this man knows his genetic destiny
A scientist has had all his DNA screened for what diseases he may succumb to in later life.
A room with a view to one big mystery
Why did a counterfeiter's setup face L.A.'s Federal Reserve office? ...
DNA And Its Complexes
Throughout life, DNA repair mechanisms go to work during exposure (UV radiation, etc.) in order to protect the human genetic code. This role is assured by the NER complex. Scientists...
Multiple Brain Regions Wired For Language, Study Finds
There is no single advanced area of the human brain that gives it language capabilities above and beyond those of any other animal species, according to a new study in...
Snails and endangered gorillas: perfect together?
How do you save critically endangered gorillas? One idea, currently being tested by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), is to introduce snails to Nigeria. More specifically, snail farming . The...
Aphids evolved special, surprising talents
Contrary to popular belief, aphids are not just sap-sucking, plant-destroying enemies of agriculture. In fact, these pests are genetic pioneers that evolved two unique traits, according to a study...
'Different forms of flowers' continues to fascinate
Although Charles Darwin is most well-known both for his book "On the Origin of Species" and his theories on natural selection, he once stated, "I do not think anything in...
Refined tools help pinpoint disease-causing genes
In findings that may speed the search for disease-causing genes, a new study challenges the prevailing view that common diseases are usually caused by common gene variants (mutations). Instead, say...
Island Reptiles Buck an Evolutionary Trend
Martinique's lizards challenge traditional views of speciation
Cells programmed to cure and even prevent cancer
The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Universite de Montreal announced the launch of the very first ribonucleic acid (RNA) engineering laboratory in Canada.