Latest science news in Biology & Nature
BBS proteins shown to run an export business that protects cilia
A protein complex mutated in human disease removes excess signalling molecules to prevent them from damaging cilia, say researchers from UMass Medical School. The study was published in the 28...
'Blue' moon to grace New Year's sky
Partygoers will be treated to an extra full moon Thursday night, but don't expect it to actually be blue.
Schizophrenic mouse developed
AUGUSTA, Ga., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The development of schizophrenic mice should improve understanding and treatment of the disorder in humans, scientists in Georgia said.
Waterproof hearing aids tested
The maker of an invisible hearing aid is attempting a waterproof version. Next month, about 60 swimmers will begin testing a next-generation Lyric, to see if stronger coatings can withstand...
Small molecules found to protect cells in multiple models of Parkinson's disease
FINDINGS: Several structurally similar small molecules appear capable of protecting cells from alpha-synuclein toxicity, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease.
Molecular chaperone keeps bacterial proteins from slow-dancing to destruction
ANN ARBOR, Mich.---Just like teenagers at a prom, proteins are tended by chaperones whose job it is to prevent unwanted interactions among immature clients. And at the molecular level, just...
Johns Hopkins scientists discover a controller of brain circuitry
By combining a research technique that dates back 136 years with modern molecular genetics, a Johns Hopkins neuroscientist has been able to see how a mammal's brain shrewdly revisits and...
Molar Emergence Says Much About Evolution Of Apes, Humans
From the smallest South American monkeys to the largest African apes, the timing of molar development and eruption is closely attuned to many fundamental aspects of a primate's biology, according...
New RNA interference technique can silence up to 5 genes
Researchers at MIT and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals report this week that they have successfully used RNA interference to turn off multiple genes in the livers of mice, an advance that could...
Cockroaches offer inspiration for running robots
CORVALLIS, Ore. -- The sight of a cockroach scurrying for cover may be nauseating, but the insect is also a biological and engineering marvel, and is providing researchers at...
Simplest bacteria unravelled at the cellular level
Even the simplest cell appears to be far more complex than researchers had imagined. In a series of three articles in the journal Science, researchers including Vera van Noort at...
Body of sea urchin acts as one big eye
Sea urchins may use the whole surface of their bodies as compound eyes, scientists now suggest. Biology - Flora and Fauna - Animalia - Echinodermata -...
Chloride increases response to pheromones and odors in mouse sensory neurons
The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is an odor detection system that mediates many pheromone-sensitive behaviors. Vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs), located in the VNO, are the initial site of interaction with odors...
Student sleuths using DNA reveal zoo of 95 species in NYC homes -- and new evidence of food fraud
Two New York City high school students exploring their homes using the latest high-tech DNA analysis techniques were astonished to discover a veritable zoo of 95 animal species surrounding them,...
Adjusting acidity with impunity
How do individual cells or proteins react to changing pH levels? Researchers have now developed a technique for ‘gently’ adjusting pH: in other words, without damaging biomolecules. This should soon...
Genetic causes identified for disturbances in lipid metabolism; implications for diabetes
Scientists have identified new gene variants associated with disturbances in the lipid metabolism. Some of these common human gene variants are already known to be risk factors for diabetes mellitus.
Gene mutation linked to nerve disorder
CHICAGO, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The discovery of gene mutations linked to two nerve disorders could lead to a new understanding of how nerves stimulate muscles, scientists in Chicago...
Disinfectants cause some bacteria to thrive
A new lab study shows one pesky bacterium eats cleansers for breakfast: When disinfectant was applied to lab cultures of the bacteria, they adapted to survive not only the disinfectant...
'Fountain of youth' for stem cells?
Stems cells used for transplantation in the nervous system to provide neural regeneration are fragile, but can be kept "forever young" during implantation through the use of self-assembling nanofiber scaffolds...
Why some continue to eat when full: Researchers find clues
New research in mice suggest that ghrelin might also work in the brain to make some people keep eating "pleasurable" foods when they're already full.
Pheromone turns fruit flies violent
The scent of a single chemical can turn peaceful, happy fruit flies into flying fists of fury. Pheromone - Fruit - Biology - Insecta - Flora...
New form of malaria threatens Thai-Cambodia border
(AP) -- O'treng village doesn't look like the epicenter of anything. Just off a muddy rutted-out road, it is nothing more than a handful of Khmer-style bamboo huts perched...
125 Whales Die on New Zealand Beaches
But Vacationers and Conservation Workers Manage to Save Dozens of Other Stranded Whales
Some birds listen, instead of look, for mates
Looks can be deceiving, but certain bird species have figured out that a voice can tell them most of what they need to know to find the right mate. Researchers...
Seeing family for the holidays? Scientists discover how the stress might kill you
If you ever thought the stress of seeing your extended family over the holidays was slowly killing you -- bad news: a new study shows that you might be right....
A mechanical model of vocalization
When people speak, sing or shout, they produce sound by pushing air over their vocal folds -- bits of muscle and tissue that manipulate the air flow and vibrate within...
Genetic predeterminants for diabetes in African-Americans identified
Researchers say a recent discovery suggests that inherited genetic variations exist between whites and blacks living in the US, leading to less efficient metabolism of glucose and predisposition to diabetes...
Whiteflies sabotage alarm system of plant in distress
When spider mites attack a bean plant, the plant produces odors attracting predatory mites. These mites then exterminate the spider mite population, thus acting as a type of "bodyguard" for...