Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Unknowlingly consuming endangered tuna
While most of us would never willingly consume a highly endangered species, doing so might be as easy as plucking sushi from a bento box. New genetic detective work from...
Chromosomes dance and pair up on the nuclear membrane
Meiosis – the pairing and recombination of chromosomes, followed by segregation of half to each egg or sperm cell – is a major crossroads in all organisms reproducing sexually. Yet,...
New insights into the physiology of cockroaches
Scientists have shed new light on how the cockroach organism works. They have shown why the German cockroach (Blatella germanica) eliminates excess nitrogen by excreting ammonia, in contrast to most...
No-entry zones for AIDS virus
The AIDS virus inserts its genetic material into the genome of the infected cell. Scientists have now shown for the first time that the virus almost entirely spares particular sites...
Video: Keeping Up With The Apps
So many apps, so little time. Daniel Sieberg reports on the hundreds of apps taking up space on our cell phones.
Dopamine enhances expectation of pleasure in humans
Enhancing the effects of the brain chemical dopamine influences how people make life choices by affecting expectations of pleasure, according to new research from the UCL Institute of Neurology...
Gene Knockout May Cheer Up Mice
A gene in the brain that was not previously linked to mood disorders could have a role in biopolar, depression, and schizophrenic conditions.
Humans still evolving as our brains shrink
Evolution in humans is commonly thought to have essentially stopped in recent times. But there are plenty of examples that the human race is still evolving, including our brains, and...
Long toes may give sprinters more speed
Sprinters with long toes and short heel bones could have an advantage over other runners, research suggests.
Australian agency moves to calm climate row
Researcher will be allowed to publish his paper after making 'tiny' changes.
India to move all zoo elephants to wildlife parks
All elephants living in Indian zoos and circuses will be moved to wildlife parks and game sanctuaries where the animals can graze more freely, officials said Friday. ...
Shape of things to come: Structure of HIV coat could lead to new drugs
Structural biologists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have described the architecture of the complex of protein units that make up the coat surrounding the HIV genome and...
Two proteins act as molecular tailors in DNA repair
(PhysOrg.com) -- On average, our cells encounter a very lethal form of DNA damage 10 times a day. Lucky for us, we have the capacity to repair each and every...
Crikey steveirwini! Snail honour for late Aussie star
An Australian scientist has paid an unusual tribute to late conservation star Steve Irwin by naming a rare species of snail "crikey steveirwini".
Lack Of VEGF Can Cause Defects Similar To Dry Macular Degeneration
Scientists have found that when the eye is missing a diffusible form of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), i.e. one that when secreted can reach other cells at a distance,...
Feature: Low success from rainforest revegetation investment
To achieve succesful outcomes, the project of rainforest revegetation in Australia requires a wholistic solution and long term monitoring.
New paper describes connections between Circadian and metabolic systems
A paper by University of Notre Dame biologist Giles Duffield and a team of researchers offers new insights into a gene that plays a key role in modulating the...
Mouse Brain Surgery And Mouse Welfare
As a mouse vet, my job is to suggest refinements to make cancer studies as easy as possible on the mice. read more
Chemical Reactions Guide Birds Home
Two new studies help reveal nature of internal compass [Read more]
A biology whodunnit: are rodents helping protect trees from fire?
Tom Parker has made an unusual find. In California forests and shrubland that burned in 2008, he has spotted Manzanita seedlings sprouting in tight clusters, suggesting that the young shrubs...
Study uncovers fruit fly metabolism gene
BONN, Germany, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- German scientists say they have discovered a new fruit fly gene that directs the metabolism of fat.
Power cut during heat wave shuts Australian zoo
The beavers took cover in their underwater lodges, but hundreds of other animals were left seeking shade or a cooling breeze Thursday when a power outage hit an Australian zoo...
Super-sniffing bees combat colony pest
In an effort to stem a massive bee die-off, government scientists have developed a population of honeybees that can root out a main culprit in the epidemic. ...
California Academy of Sciences becomes first aquarium in US to breed dwarf cuttlefish
Anchored to an algae-covered rock in a 120-gallon tank at the California Academy of Sciences' Steinhart Aquarium, a cluster of inky-colored cuttlefish eggs is beginning to swell -evidence of success...
Environmental impact of cocaine strategy assessed
Studies measure effects of glyphosate-based herbicide on wildlife and human health.
Carbonic acid captured
Researchers have caught a rare glimpse of carbonic acid – and it turns out to be much more acidic than the textbooks say
Fowl Line
The U.S.-Mexico fence protects the border but could endanger animals A trio of turkeys peacefully gobbles cornmeal on a cattle ranch in northern Mexico. But a fence may cut off the chuckwagon. Last...
Can A Plant Be Altruistic?
Although plants have the ability to sense and respond to other plants, their ability to recognize kin and act altruistically has been the subject of few studies. A new study...