Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Pet pig ears and beef hooves are recalled
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Pet Carousel Inc. is recalling various brands of its pig ears and beef hooves because of possible...
New skin stem cells surprisingly similar to those found in embryos
Scientists have discovered a new type of stem cell in the skin that acts surprisingly like certain stem cells found in embryos: both can generate fat, bone, cartilage and even...
Charles Darwin: More than the origin
Although Charles Darwin is most well-known for his book On the Origin of Species, in which he described the process of natural selection, he greatly contributed to many specific fields...
Fixing Function In Cystic Fibrosis
Chemical Biology: Targeting cell's protein-processing machinery helps get a flawed channel working.
Draft text divides climate summit
Documents leaked at the UN climate summit reveal divisions between rich and developing nations over the shape of a possible new deal.
List of 'unsung' wildlife affected by climate change released
The Wildlife Conservation Society today released a list of animals facing new impacts by climate change, some in strange and unexpected ways...
Mathematical model of simple circuit in chicken brain raises fundamental questions about neural circuitry
Neural microcircuits consisting of a few neurons and their interconnections are small enough to be understood more completely than larger neural structures, whose complexity quickly becomes overwhelming. Researchers recently tackled...
Mosquitoes Capable Of Spreading West Nile Virus Exist In Large Numbers In The South Of Europe
Potentially fatal mosquito-borne West Nile fever (WNF) can become much more widespread in Europe than previously thought, say scientists in a new report just out in the journal BMC Evolutionary...
UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News
Fruit flies might help addiction research … Marijuana helps reduce MS symptoms … Old book smell indicates its condition … Study: Fruit flies turn obese as do humans ... Health/Science...
'Jekyll and Hyde' bacteria bleaches coral
CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have discovered what causes some harmless marine bacteria to transform into killers that cause coral bleaching.
A cell's 'cap' of bundled fibers could yield clues to disease
Research engineers have discovered that in healthy cells, a bundled "cap" of thread-like fibers holds the cell's nucleus in its proper place.
Lizard changes its diet to avoid predators
Scientists have shown that the presence of predators affects the behavior of Acanthodactylus beershebensis, a lizard species from the Negev Desert in Israel. According to the study, these reptiles move...
Scent signals stop incest in lemurs
Chemical identifiers secreted from the genital glands of lemurs, allow them to avoid incest and also to engage in nepotism. Researchers have identified the smells used by both male and...
Delivering medicine directly into a tumor
(Santa Barbara, Calif.) -- Researchers at Burnham Institute for Medical Research at University of California, Santa Barbara have identified a peptide (a chain of amino acids) that specifically...
Researchers Prove Key Cancer Theory
Animal study demonstrates how whole chromosome changes cause cancer.
Ancient HIV stowaway may hold clue to transmission
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An HIV genetic stowaway that may have come from a related cat virus could help the AIDS virus transmit and replicate in people, U.S. researchers reported on...
Joslin Research Wins Spot on Discover Magazine's Top 100 List
Brown fat finding is declared one of the most important scientific accomplishments of 2009.
Bat Ray Detects Weak Electrical Signals from Prey
Scientists explore rays’ sensory abilities.
Software models aid genetic study
Computer models of the workings of genes are helping unpick the process of aging and how toxins poison the body.
Potent two-pronged antibiotic provides hope for future drugs
Two-headed compound found to shut down crucial bacterial enzymes
Microorganism may provide key to combating giant salvinia throughout Louisiana
A team of researchers in Louisiana has found that a naturally occurring microorganism acts as a natural herbicide against giant salvinia.
Better way for computers to 'see' combines molecular biology and gaming hardware
Combining screening techniques from molecular biology with high-performance gaming hardware advances the building and understanding of visual systems.
Newly explored bacteria reveal some huge RNA surprises
Researchers have found very large RNA structures within previously unstudied bacteria that appear crucial to basic biological functions such as helping viruses infect cells or allowing genes to "jump" to...
Aggression-promoting pheromone discovered in flies
Scientists say they have identified an aggression-promoting pheromone that controls such behavior in Drosophila, and have pinpointed the neurons in the fly's antenna that detect this pheromone and relay the...
Penguin fighting cancer in Kentucky
NEWPORT, Ky., Dec. 6 (UPI) -- A penguin undergoing radiation treatment for cancer appears to be doing well at an aquarium in Newport, Ky., an aquarium curator said.
Appetite, consumption controlled by clockwork genes at cross-purposes in flies
One of the pioneers in research on sleep:wake circadian genes, Amita Sehgal, Ph.D., has discovered that fruit flies' appetite and consumption are controlled by two rival sets of clocks, one...
Fruit fly neuron can reprogram itself after injury
Studies with fruit flies have shown that the specialized nerve cells called neurons can rebuild themselves after injury.
For African violets, 'hands off' means healthier
African violets are enjoyed for their delicate, colorful flowers and furry, soft leaves but many people want to touch the leaves and flowers. Oklahoma researchers wanted to know how does...