Latest science news in Biology & Nature
New animal model developed to study craniofacial pain by manipulating genes
Using a novel animal model to study craniofacial pain, researchers have discovered that when tissues are inflamed, the nerve cells carrying pain information from the head to the brain produce...
Polynesia's coral reefs wiped out by cyclone Oli
On 3-4 February 2010, tropical cyclone Oli hit western French Polynesia. Scientists were soon to discover the extent of the damage: the coral reef, which had already been made vulnerable...
Wildlife trade meeting disappoints marine scientists
International body rejects proposals on high-profile fishes
Scientists create rainbow of fluorescent probes
Scientists are advancing the state-of-the-art in live cell fluorescent imaging by developing a new class of fluorescent probes that span the spectrum -- from violet to the near-infrared. The new...
Autism susceptibility genes identified
Two genes have been associated with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in a new study of 661 families. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's newly launched journal Molecular Autism found that variations...
Of mice and memory: 'Working memory' of mice can be improved
Mice trained to improve their working memory become more intelligent, suggesting that similar improvements in working memory might help human beings enhance their brain power, according to research published today...
Genome mapping technique speeds process of finding specific genes
(PhysOrg.com) -- A Purdue University scientist was part of a global team that has demonstrated a specialized mapping technique that could speed work in genomic fields by quickly finding genetic...
Birds fuel up on super foods before migrating
Birds that normally eat insects switch to antioxidant-rich berries just before starting their long journey south for winter. Insect - Bird - Berry - Recreation -...
Newly identified proteins critical to FA pathway DNA repair function
Identification of two new proteins in the Fanconi anemia DNA repair pathway may help explain genetic instability in people with Fanconi anemia and how otherwise healthy people are susceptible to...
Zoo welcomes birth of 25 Komodo dragons
An Indonesian zoo is welcoming the births of 25 endangered Komodo dragons, hatched after eight months in incubators. Komodo dragon - Biology - Zoology - Zoos...
London zoo exhibit recreates living South American rainforest
Visitors can interact with an entire ecosystem of mammals, birds and insects from a walk-through tropical canopyTwo courting titi monkeys sit with their tails entwined, as a golden-headed lion tamarin peers at some...
'A-maize-ing' discovery could lead to higher corn yields for food, feed and fuel
Scientists may have made an "a-maize-ing" discovery that could lead to higher corn yields in the United States. In a new research report published in the March 2010 issue of...
Chance discovery leads to plant breeding breakthrough
A reliable method for producing plants that carry genetic material from only one of their parents has been discovered by plant biologists at UC Davis. The technique, to be published...
Male stick insects redundant
Some New Zealand stick insects don't need males to breed, according to research from Massey University.
In pictures: Super-predators
Super-predation, where predators hunt one another, plays a widespread and under-appreciated role in nature, say researchers.
Johns Hopkins team finds new way to attack TB
Suspecting that a particular protein in tuberculosis was likely to be vital to the bacteria's survival, Johns Hopkins scientists screened 175,000 small chemical compounds and identified a potent class of...
'Oldest' osprey returns to nest
The UK's oldest known breeding female osprey returns to Scotland from West Africa for the 20th consecutive year.
A colourful light-controlled switch
A light-driven molecular switch capable of fast and reversible colour tuning could improve liquid crystal displays
Shark fin soup: CITES fails to protect 5 species of sharks from overfishing and finning
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) this week decided not to create any new international trade restrictions to protect five endangered shark...
Kombucha Tea Attracts a Following and Doubters
Looks and aroma notwithstanding, Kombucha tea attracts followers and doubters.
Versatility of optogenetics brain-research technique vastly expanded
Recently, brain researchers have gained a powerful new way to troubleshoot neural circuits associated with depression, Parkinson's disease and other conditions in small animals such as rats. They use an...
New findings about how cells achieve eternal life
Researchers can now show that cells that grow forever get this capacity through gradual changes in the expression of genes that govern the repair of DNA damage and regulate growth...
Another type of proto-human discovered
LEIPZIG, Germany, March 24 (UPI) -- European researchers say they have identified a previously unknown species of proto-human that existed at least 1 million years until about 40,000 years...
New technology to assist research and genetic drug delivery
Techulon, Inc., and University of Cincinnati sign worldwide exclusive license agreements to manufacture and sell novel reagents used for research and therapeutic delivery of nucleic acids.
Without Key Receptors, New Brain Cells Do Not Survive Migration
(PhysOrg.com) -- Newly created brain cells lacking a critical receptor do not survive a long migration to join complex neural networks, a Yale University research team reports March 25 in...
With Aid from Herbicides, Perennial Grasses Help Suppress Weeds in Noncrop Areas
Weeds often thrive in noncrop areas such as levees, roadsides, and field borders, but they can be suppressed by planting native grasses and treating the area with herbicides, according to...
1918 and 2009 viruses share vulnerability
BETHESDA, Md., March 24 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've found the viruses that caused flu pandemics in 1918 and 2009 share a structural detail making both susceptible to...
Poor missing out on moringa seeds' water-purifying powers
The seeds from an indigenous tree can help purify water — but more knowledge dissemination is needed, say researchers.