Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Marine census grows near completion
Researchers have discovered thousands of new ocean creatures in a decade-long effort now nearing completion, and there may still be several times more strange creatures to be found, leaders of...
Great white shark is more endangered than tiger, claims scientist
Recent research suggests there are more tigers left in the wild than there are great white sharksGreat white sharks may be more endangered than tigers, with only a few thousand left in...
Chemical tags likely to affect metabolism, cancer development
New research suggests that the addition or removal of a certain type of chemical tag -- called an acetyl group -- onto metabolic enzymes plays a key role in how...
Antimony addition to fruit juice?
Health concerns could arise from elevated antimony levels in commercial fruit drinks
First sugars needed silicates to survive
Stabilising silicate ions might have helped the sugars in RNA to form in prebiotic organic synthesis
University of Minnesota scientist finds that big plant seeds don't always beat out small seeds
University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences researcher Helene Muller-Landau has developed a new theory explaining why some plant species produce a small number of large seeds while others...
Protein tether linked to touch perception
Humans and animals are able to perceive even the slightest vibration and touch of the skin. Mechanosensitive ion channels play a crucial role in the mediation of these sensations. Researchers...
Threat to monkey numbers from forest decline
Monkey populations in threatened forests are far more sensitive to damage to their habitat than previously thought. Numbers closely related to the type of habitat found between forest fragments, rather...
Fear of spiders can develop before birth
Scientists figure humans may be born with a fear of spiders and snakes, healthy phobias that up the odds of survival in the wild. It's not known how such an...
Giant panda genome reveals new insights into the bear's bamboo diet
A Chinese-led team including international researchers, has shed new light on some of the giant panda's unusual biological traits, including its famously restricted diet.
Drunk Bats Manage To Pass Sobriety Tests
(PhysOrg.com) -- New World Leaf-nosed bats (Chiroptera Phyllostomidae) are thriving in the tropical forests of Central and South America, even though their diets consist of more fruits and nectars than...
Researchers discover second protective role for tumor-suppressor
ATM, a protein that reacts to DNA damage by ordering repairs or the suicide of the defective cell, plays a similar, previously unknown role in response to oxidative damage outside...
In pictures: Meet the world's endangered primates
Nearly half of all primates are in danger of becoming extinct. Here are some of the species under threat
Old lineage holds disease info
A new study has found a wealth of useful information on diseases such as cancer, by studying the genetics of indigenous Africans.
Depression pills aid regrowth
A new study has found that many antidepressants work by making new neurons grow in the brain – though Prozac remains a mystery.
Pregnant rhino gives hope for Indonesian species
Indonesian conservationists Thursday hailed a breakthrough in efforts to save the critically endangered Sumatran rhino after a female called Ratu became pregnant in captivity.
Eyeless Urchins "See" With Spines
Sea urchin bodies act as big spine-covered eyes, according to researchers who created "Twilight Zone" conditions to test how well the marine creatures can see.
The Spotless Garden
Aquaponic gardens use fish, water and no soil — and may be the future of food growing.
Scientists Discover How Protein Trips Up Germs
If bad bacteria lurk in your system, chances are they will bump into the immune system's protective cells whose job is gobbling germs. The catch is that these do-gooders, known...
Early-Season Light Quality Affects Corn Growth and Yield
Scientists have known for a long time that plants grow differently when they are spaced closer together than farther apart. Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison conducted field experiments to...
Recalculating Iran's Pace of Uranium Enrichment
The clock marking off the time it may take Iran to produce enough highly... [Read more]
Flying Horse sesame candy is recalled
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Flying Horse-brand sesame chewy candy is being recalled because of the presence of undeclared peanuts.
3D Sun for the iPhone
Imagine holding the entire sun in the palm of your hand. Now you can. A new iPhone app developed by NASA-supported programmers delivers a live global view of the sun...
Stem cell experiment reverses aging in rare disease
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a surprise result that can help in the understanding of both aging and cancer, researchers working with an engineered type of stem cell said they reversed...
Tourism initiative aimed at saving birds
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The American Bird Conservancy and similar organizations in 12 countries say they have started a tourism initiative aimed at saving endangered bird species.
Study shows diversity of African genes
A genetic peek deep into the heart of Africa confirms that Africans have more genetic diversity than Europeans or Asians and provides insights into how to live a long life...
Evolution: Revenge of the hopeful monster
Experiments have revealed how single mutations can have huge effects that drive evolution. But small steps pave the way, finds Tanguy Chouard.
How accurate are cancer cell lines?
Some argue that tumour cells obtained directly from patients are the best way to study cancer genomics.