Latest science news in Biology & Nature
The white stuff: Marine lab team seeks to understand coral bleaching
With technology similar to that used by physicians to perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, researchers from six institutions - including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) -...
Biochemical 'on-switch' could solve protein purification challenge
Drugs based on engineered proteins represent a new frontier for pharmaceutical makers. Even after they discover a protein that may form the basis of the next wonder drug, however, they...
Synthetic cells shed biological insights while delivering battery power
Trying to understand the complex workings of a biological cell by teasing out the function of every molecule within it is a daunting task. But by making synthetic cells that...
New Mechanism Found For Circadian Rhythm
Molecules that may hold the key to new ways to fight cancer and other diseases have been found to play an important role in regulating circadian rhythm, according to new...
Growing cartilage from stem cells
Damaged knee joints might one day be repaired with cartilage grown from stem cells in a laboratory, based on research by Professor Kyriacos Athanasiou, chair of the UC Davis Department...
Researchers exploit genetic 'co-dependence' to kill treatment-resistant tumour cells
Cancer cells fuelled by the mutant KRAS oncogene, which makes them notoriously difficult to treat, can be killed by blocking a more vulnerable genetic partner of KRAS, report scientists at...
Largest Web-Spinning Spider Found
The female of the new golden orb-weaver species Nephila komaci has a leg span of up to five inches—about ten times larger than the male—say scientists who found the giant web-spinning spider.
Wasting stalled by key protein
Researchers have found a possible treatment for an incurable muscle wasting disease – a way to restore production of a crucial protein.
Carbon-offsetting and conservation can both be winners in rainforest
Logged rainforests can support as much plant, animal and insect life as virgin forest within 15 years if properly managed, research at the University of Leeds has found...
Scientists develop novel method to generate functional hepatocytes for drug testing
Scientists have for the first time produced liver cells from adult skin cells using the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology...
Turtles prefer the 'city life'
Suburban turtles in Australia outperform their counterparts living in nature reserves, surprising scientists.
New light on the SARS virus
Using novel techniques, Dutch researcher Matthijs Raaben has cast new light on the replication of coronaviruses, a family of viruses including the cause of SARS. He has shown, using luminescent...
Evolutionary arms race between bacteria and their viruses in soil
Viruses of soil bacteria (phages) evolve to improve their ability to infect the bacterial hosts that surround them. This is shown in a new study by Dutch researcher Michiel Vos,...
Females sing sexily with testosterone
Testosterone gets female canaries singing. Dutch researcher Tessa Hartog knows how you can make a female canary sing using testosterone and the protein BDNF. Normally, female canaries don't sing, but...
Attractive development for immunoassays
A one-step, magnetically-activated biosensor for rapidly screening motorists for drug abuse
Genetics Of Patterning The Cerebral Cortex: How Stem Cells Yield Functional Regions In 'Gray Matter'
Scientists report that they have identified the first genetic mechanism that determines the regional identity of progenitors tasked with generating the cerebral cortex. Their discovery reveals a critical period during...
2009 Deep Ocean Odyssey
"2009 Deep Ocean Odyssey" will be held October 21, 2009 in Kristiansand, Norway from 12:00-15:00 Western European Time and live webcast at http://www.mar-eco.no/
Sugar cereals are 'Smart Choices'? FDA not so sure
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ever wondered how that "Smart Choices" sticker wound up on the front of Froot Loops or Cocoa Puffs?...
World must use GM crops, says UK science academy
LONDON (Reuters) - The world needs genetically modified crops both to increase food yields and minimize the environmental impact of farming, Britain's top science academy said on Wednesday.
Tiny UK parasitoid wasp discovered
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new species of parasitoid wasp that feeds on a common whitefly pest has been discovered in the UK by a Natural History Museum scientist.
Alligators Sing to Set Up Singles Clubs? (With Video)
Only an alligator could truly understand the allure of this thunderous "chorus." But a new study says the song may be an invitation to reptilian romantic networking.
Dominican Republic bird refuge opens
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Dominican Republic officials say they have created a new refuge for birds, located on the northwest border of the Sierra de...
New Method To Help Keep Fruit, Vegetables And Flowers Fresh
A professor has developed an innovative new way to keep produce and flowers fresh for longer periods of time. The microbiologist's method uses a naturally occurring microorganism -- no larger...
Plants can recognize rivals and fight, study says
Plants can't see or hear, but they can recognize their siblings, and now researchers have found out how: They use chemical signals secreted from their roots, according to a study.
Mexico to allow GM maize
The Mexican government has given the green light to the experimental sowing of GM maize, causing protests across the country.
Apple updates iMac line, adds 'multitouch' mouse
(AP) -- Apple Inc. updated its iMac desktop computer line Tuesday and introduced a mouse that responds to the touch of fingers instead of using buttons or scroll wheels.
Peru and Ethiopia team up to defend biodiversity
Scientists and farmers from Peru and Ethiopia will defend agrobiodiversity through the exchange of scientific and traditional knowledge.
Key species show health
Researchers are developing a way to keep track of Australia’s ecological health, by watching carefully chosen key species.