Latest science news in Biology & Nature
In early heart development, genes work in tandem
Studying genes that regulate early heart development in animals, scientists have solved a puzzle about one gene's role, finding that it acts in concert with a related gene. Their finding...
Surprising sea slug is half-plant, half-animal
A green sea slug appears to be part animal, part plant. It's the first critter discovered to produce the plant pigment chlorophyll. Chlorophyll - Plant -...
Loss of epigenetic regulators causes mental retardation (w/ Video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- Developing neurons don`t just need the right genes to guide them as they grow, they need access to the right genes at the right times. The improper functioning...
Researchers discover molecular security system that protects cells from potentially harmful DNA
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a molecular security system in human cells that deactivates and degrades foreign DNA. This discovery could open the door to major improvements...
Researchers identify microRNA targets in C. elegans
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that impact almost every aspect of biology. In recent years, they have been strongly implicated in stem cell biology, tissue and organism development, as well...
A role for calcium in taste perception
Calcium may not come to mind when you think of tasty foods, but in a study appearing in the January 8 issue of JBC, Japanese researchers have provided the first...
New system helps explain salmon migration
A new acoustic telemetry system tracks the migration of juvenile salmon using one-tenth as many fish as comparable methods, suggests a paper published in the January edition of the American...
Loosely coiled DNA helps trypanosomes make their escape
(PhysOrg.com) -- To escape the grip of the human immune system, Trypanosoma brucei, which causes African sleeping sickness, performs its acclaimed disappearing act. Every time the host`s immune cells get...
New test may help address costly parasite in sheep industry
Researchers have developed an improved, more efficient method to test for the most serious of the parasitic worms in sheep, a problem that causes hundreds of millions of dollars in...
Reshuffle reveals new species
Reseachers have found what may be a new species of deep sea creature – which had already been lurking in their collection for years.
Stem cell projects under way
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine recently awarded 14 grants to stem cell-based projects that are close to being ready for clinical trials. Here are some of the projects. * A team...
Florida cold snap culls invasive reptiles
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Florida wildlife officials have urged hunters to use the unnaturally cold weather to target Burmese pythons, the giant snakes that have invaded the...
Micro RNAs can turn genes off
RNA molecules are the mobile messengers of genes. They carry information on the production of proteins from the DNA to the ribosomes. In addition to these messenger RNAs all living...
Researchers study microbes in cattle to unlock metabolic disease mysteries
Switching from warm-season grasses to cool-season forages can give livestock a belly ache, in some cases a deadly one, according to scientists. Scientists are using state-of-the-art technology -- metagenomics --...
Vitamin bombs for baby fish
Scientists have set themselves the goal of exploiting the advantages of a special type of zooplankton on a large scale called Copepods.
CES: Palm Smartphones Given Hands-on Test
CNET Gets Firm Grasp of Palm Pre Plus, Palm Pixi Plus Due Out in Late January
Accentuating the Positive: Researchers Closer to Pinpointing Beneficial Evolutionary Mutations in the Human Genome
Genetic mutations that enhance disease resistance or boost fitness in a particular climate have been positively selected over the course of human evolution. But current statistical methods to...
Laser Comb, Cloning to Re-grow Hair?
Hair Restoration Specialist Discusses Latest, and Better-Known Ways to Try to Stop Hair Loss, Spur New Growth
Ant Has Given Up Sex Completely, Researchers Confirm
The complete asexuality of a widespread fungus-gardening ant, the only ant species in the world known to have dispensed with males entirely, has recently been confirmed.
Bra Color Meme Sweeps Facebook
The Origins Remain Unclear But It's Taking Over Status Messages Like Few Things Ever Have
Fruit flies take hooking up literally
Scientists now find that spikes on the genitals of male fruit flies literally help them hold onto females. Fruit - Sex organ - Biology - Shopping...
UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News
Everglades restoration project underway ... Bird decline not caused by gray squirrels ... Snowdrifts built for endangered seal ... Basking sharks thrive off Scotland ... Health/Science news from UPI.
Abundance of a Look-alike Species Clouds Population Status of a Million Dollar Fish
New findings cast uncertainty on previous population size assessments for the severely overfished white marlin and call for reassessment of international recovery efforts.
Using Nanotechnology to Boost the Lifespan of Medical Implants
(PhysOrg.com) -- UConn engineering researchers are developing a new family of implant materials.
Bird count in Algonquin Park lowest ever
Fewer birds than ever before were seen and heard in Algonquin Park during an annual winter count by volunteers.
Snowdrifts built for endangered seal
SAVONLINNA, Finland, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Finnish researchers are trying to lure the endangered Saimaa ringed seal by heaping mounds of snow on lake ice in the Saimaa Waterway.
Hefce takes more hits over impact
Independent report calls for flexibility in new research impact assessment as academics threaten to leave the UK if the measures are introduced
Grey squirrels do not harm birds
Grey squirrels have little impact on woodland bird species in England, a study by the British Trust for Ornithology shows.