Latest science news in Biology & Nature
New Lab-on-a-chip Measures Mechanics Of Bacteria Colonies
Researchers have devised a microscale tool to help them understand the mechanical behavior of biofilms, slimy colonies of bacteria involved in most human infectious diseases.
Key To Evolutionary Fitness: Cut The Calories
Charles Darwin postulated that animals eat as much as possible while food is plentiful, and produce as many offspring as this would allow. However, new research shows that, even when...
Gene clues to schizophrenia risk
A team of scientists identifies thousands of tiny genetic variations which raise the risk of schizophrenia.
Re-Write The Textbooks: Key Genetic Phenomenon Shown To Be Different Than Believed
Because females carry two copies of the X chromosome to males’ one X and one Y, they harbor a potentially toxic double dose of the over 1000 genes that reside...
New Connection Between Cancer Cells, Stem Cells
A molecule called telomerase, best known for enabling unlimited cell division of stem cells and cancer cells, has a surprising additional role in the expression of genes in an important...
Salamanders, Regenerative Wonders, Heal Like Mammals, People
The salamander is a superhero of regeneration, able to replace lost limbs, damaged lungs, sliced spinal cord -- even bits of lopped-off brain. Based on experiments on genetically modified axolotl...
Ants Form Global Mega-Colony
The invasive creatures form a mega-colony that spans Europe, the United States and Japan.
Mangrove-dependent animals globally threatened
More than 40 percent of a sample of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds that are restricted to mangrove ecosystems are globally threatened with extinction, according to an assessment published in...
New Fossil Primate Challenges "Missing Link" Ida
Researchers propose that it was Asian, not European or African, primates that gave rise to monkeys, apes, and humans
Human cardiac master stem cells identified
(PhysOrg.com) -- Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified the earliest master human heart stem cell from human embryonic stem cells - ISL1+ progenitors - that...
Portuguese scientists working on chromosome segregation
Lars Jansen's work on the formation of the centromere, a key cellular structure in powering and controlling chromosome segregation and accurate cell division, has just earned him a paper in...
Chemical security efforts spread
Industry cautions over EU and US efforts to prevent chemical facilities being targeted by terrorist
Should spitting worms be protected?
Fans of the giant Palouse earthworm are once again seeking federal protection for the rare, sweet-smelling species that spits at predators.
Chimpanzees learn from video demo
Copycat chimps build their own tools after watching a video demonstration, say scientists.
New Clue Into How Brain Stem Cells Develop Into Cells Which Repair Damaged Tissue
Scientists have discovered a new mechanism in brain stem cells that controls how and when they develop into cells which repair damage in neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. They...
The Wild Side: 'Operator? Can You Put Me Through to Ant Nest 251?'
How do ants communicate, and can it involve telephones?
Shared keyboards more germy
A recent study found that keyboards with multiple users were more likely to hold disease-causing bacteria such as golden staph.
Feathers help reconstruct moa
Researchers have worked out what an extinct species of giant bird – the moa – must have looked like, using DNA from buried feathers.
Rare panda newest resident at Edmonton zoo
The newest resident of the Edmonton Valley Zoo, a rare Styan red panda cub, was officially welcomed on Tuesday.
Seeds to be shared with poor
A new fund has been developed that will encourage seed sharing with developing nations and help poor farmers preserve global biodiversity.
Research team maps parasite genome
SAN ANTONIO, June 30 (UPI) -- A research team in Texas has mapped the genome of the parasite that causes schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease that can impair childhood...
Bigger isn't always better
It is time to reconsider the adage that bigger is better,' according to scientists writing in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters today. Rebecca Sear from the London School of...
Norway helps endangered eel wriggle from fish nets
Norwegian fisheries regulators in a landmark decision have banned all fishing of the critically endangered European eel starting in 2010 and cut 2009 catch quotas by 80 percent...
Men Are More Accurate than Women When Hitting a Target with Force in the Dark
(PhysOrg.com) -- Could it be that men have evolved to be more accurate at hitting a target with a weapon in the dark than women? That`s the surprising question left...
Enzyme Doesn't Act Alone In Atrial Fibrillation
An overactive enzyme is behind a leaky calcium channel that plays a role in the development of atrial fibrillation, which is the most common cardiac arrhythmia that is responsible for...
How Cells Reconcile Mixed Messages In Decisions About Growth
The cells in our body are constantly receiving mixed messages. An epithelial cell might be exposed to one signal telling it to divide and, simultaneously, another telling it to stop...
Tags to help solve puffin decline
Scientists hope hi-tech tags will help reveal why the puffin population at one of the UK's key colonies fell by a third last year.
Human, baboon gene alters malaria effects
DURHAM, N.C., June 30 (UPI) -- U.S. genetic scientists say they've found variation in the same gene in humans and baboons produces the same kind of resistance to...