Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Cancer Kills Many Sea Lions, and Its Cause Remains a Mystery
A sizable proportion of California sea lions have died of cancer, and in trying to determine the disease’s cause, researchers have come up with three suspects.
Underwater waves: Green dye sheds light on a deep sea mystery
Green dye reveals some physical mysteries of the deep ocean
Clever Octopus Makes Like a Flounder
To mimic a flounder, and avoid predators, the Atlantic longarm octopus swims forward with its arms trailing behind like flounder fins. It swims along the contours of the sea floor,...
"Extinct" Australian frog reappears 30 years after last sighting
The yellow-spotted bell frog (Litoria castanea), last observed in 1970s, has long been thought to be extinct in the wild. Scientists believed it was probably a victim of the deadly...
Bacteria Rule Our Bodies, Our Planet
Scientists Say the Human Gut is Full of Bacteria; Yes, That's a Good Thing
Pigeons beat humans at solving puzzle
New findings involving pigeons superior ability to solve a perplexing statistical problem might in turn shed light on why humans are bad at solving certain kinds of problems. ...
PETA group urges castration of polar bear
BERLIN, March 4 (UPI) -- The German branch of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said a polar bear housed at the Berlin Zoo should be castrated...
Silver sputtered nano chips mimic brain synapse
New approach to embedding silver in silicon-based memristors set to help researchers imitate animal brains
SeaWeb applauds US decision to support bluefin tuna trade protection
LONDON -- SeaWeb applauded the announcement by the United States that it will support a proposed international trade ban for endangered bluefin tuna, and the ocean conservation organization called...
New way found to control mosquitoes
ITHACA, N.Y., March 4 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've discovered a protein that might lead to the development of insecticides that can disrupt a mosquito's renal system.
Bacterial balance that keeps us healthy
The thousands of bacteria, fungi and other microbes that live in our gut are essential contributors to our good health. They break down toxins, manufacture some vitamins and essential amino...
BP pulls out of Tanzania
DODOMA, Tanzania, March 4 (UPI) -- The African division of British energy company BP announced it was shifting its regional structure and pulling out of the Tanzanian energy market.
Lemon grass fights headaches
A new study has found that Australian lemon grass may work like aspirin - which explains its use as a traditional medicine.
Glowing Animals: Pictures of Beasts Shining for Science
Dogs, cats, monkeys, worms, fish: all now glow in the dark, thanks to one jellyfish and a whole lot of research. In this photo round-up of glowing animals (and the...
F.D.A. Cracks Down on Nestlé and Others Over Health Claims on Labels
Warning letters went out over claims about Gerber baby food, Juicy Juice, Dreyer’s ice cream, POM pomegranate juice and Gorton’s fish fillets.
New insights to master signaling switch identified using high throughput technology platform
Scientists have identified a range of novel protein interactions involved in calcium signaling in brain cells and validated them using a high throughput screening technology.
Pesky aphid thrives despite weak immune system
Pea aphids, expert survivors of the insect world, appear to lack major biological defenses, according to the first genetic analysis of their immune system.
Gut bacteria gene complement dwarfs human genome
Sequencing project finds that Europeans share a surprising number of bacteria.
Tips And Tricks For Sexing Squid
So, I was going to blog about the new baby giant octopus (complete with webcam!) at the Smithsonian. But, it's not really a squid. Then I was going to talk about...
Researchers examine plant's ability to identify, block invading bacteria
Understanding how plants defend themselves from bacterial infections may help researchers understand how people and other animals could be better protected from such pathogens.
FYI: Why Do Ducks Have Orange Feet?
Actually, many species of ducks have feet-and legs!-tinted a bluish green or gray. But for the ducks that do have orange feet, well, it's all about attracting the ladies. Chicks dig orange....
Improved near-real-time tracking of 2010 El Niño reveals marine life reductions
The ongoing El Niño of 2010 is affecting north Pacific Ocean ecosystems in ways that could affect the West Coast fishing industry, according to scientists at NOAA and Scripps Institution...
Technique to Probe Hidden Dynamics of Molecular Biology
University of Chicago scientists are aiming to develop a method for determining how biological processes emerge from molecular interactions. The method may permit them to "rewire" the regulatory circuitry of...
Gene test may help you pick your diet
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new genetic test may help dieters decide whether they would lose more weight on a low-fat diet, one that cuts carbohydrates or a more balanced approach,...
Glowing Squid Illuminate Immune System Function
(PhysOrg.com) -- Tiny Hawaiian bobtail squid use an unusual form of camouflage: they pack colonies of glowing bacteria into their bodies. Spencer Nyholm studies these invertebrates to understand how immune...
Scientists identify key protein in energy regulation
With obesity and obesity-related diseases epidemic in the developed world, a clear understanding of how metabolism is regulated is crucial. One of the key metabolic pathways involves the oxidation of...
Beauty may be much more than skin deep
Scientists at L'Oréal, in hot pursuit of the hidden elements of beauty, seem well on their way to disputing the old adage, "beauty is only skin deep." In fact, their...
Typhoid bacteria take cover on gallstones
Scientists have found typhoid bacteria's hiding place — on gallstones — and say this could explain how the disease is spread.