Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Nematode Courting Caught On Camera
Researchers studying the nervous control of nematode mating behavior have produced video footage of a male worm preparing to mate with a hermaphrodite. Researchers investigated the role of the excitatory...
New Pill Fights Fleas and Ticks in Dog and Cat
The first once-a-month pill for controlling both fleas and ticks in dogs and cats is showing promise in tests.
Tiny levels of carbon monoxide damage foetal brain
A UCLA study has discovered that chronic exposure during pregnancy to miniscule levels of carbon monoxide damages the cells of the foetal brain, resulting in permanent impairment. The journal BMC...
Pushmi-pullyu of B-cell development discovered
Although every cell in the body carries the genes necessary to function as an antibody-producing B cell, only a small proportion of stem cells mature into those important immune-system cells....
Study finds DNA barcoding requires caution without closer examination
The goal of DNA barcoding is to find a simple, cheap, and rapid DNA assay that can be converted to a readily accessible technical skill that bypasses the need to rely on...
Cancer researchers link DICER1 gene mutation to rare childhood cancer
WASHINGTON, DC -- Research published today in Science Express from the journal Science demonstrates the first definitive link between mutations in the gene DICER1 and cancer.
Evolution Of A Contraceptive For Invasive Sea Lamprey
In addition to providing fundamental insights into the early evolution of the estrogen receptor, new research may lead to a contraceptive for female lampreys -- a jawless fish considered an...
Australian coastal and river dwellers at risk of melanoma
(PhysOrg.com) -- South Australians living on the coast, near the River Murray and in metropolitan Adelaide are more likely to get skin cancer than their inland cousins.
DNA patterns of microbes
(PhysOrg.com) -- The genomes or DNA of microbes contain defined DNA patterns called genome signatures. Such signatures may be used to establish relationships and to search for DNA from viruses...
Virus filters for medical diagnosis
In biomedicine and biotechnology the smallest, complex, compound sample quantities must be reliably processed. Microsystems with new mechanisms of action for pumping, filtering and separating will manage this task with...
Environmental Cues Control Reproductive Timing And Longevity
When humans and animals delay reproduction because food or other resources are scarce, they may live longer to increase the impact of reproduction, according to a new study.
New nanoparticles could revolutionize therapeutic drug discovery
A revolutionary new protein stabilisation technique has been developed by scientists funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council which could lead to 30 per cent more proteins being...
Smog Stresses Skin Cells
Smog is nasty enough in the atmosphere, and now research suggests it damages human skin cells as well.
UAB researchers draft 3-D protein map to aid stroke, cancer research
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A new three-dimensional computer protein map is helping researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) unravel the biological pathways that control brain-cell death after...
Castor-oil Plants Genetically Altered To Produce New Bio-lubricants
Researchers have genetically altered castor-oil plant so as to use it as a factory to produce bio lubricants.
Bird Migration: First ‘transmitter Godwit’ Back To West Africa In One Go
One of the fifteen Frisian ‘transmitter godwits’, which was still in Friesland on Saturday, arrived in Senegal in West Africa on Tuesday morning. The bird, nicknamed Heidenskip, appears to have...
Artificial liver for drug tests
If you have hay fever, headaches or a cold, it's only a short way to the nearest chemist. The drugs, on the other hand, can take eight to ten years...
Gulls' vicious attacks on whales
Gulls off the coast of Argentina bite into whales and eat their blubber.
Can't compete on dung? Try mating on apple pomace
In the mating world of yellow dung flies, large, brawny males almost always get the girl. However, a new study suggests that smaller males rule if presented with an opportunity...
South Asia News in brief: 11–24 June 2009
A GM mosquito is being tested for dengue control, Nepal boosts scientist–farmer collaboration, a new source of biodiesel is found and more.
Japan approves first generic biotech drug
ZURICH (Reuters) - Japanese regulators approved a human growth hormone from Novartis AG, the first green light in Japan for a biosimilar or generic version of a biotech drug, the...
Legless frogs mystery solved
Scientists resolve one of the most controversial environmental issues of the past decade: the curious case of the missing frogs' legs.
Chuffed over choughs' egg success
Bird enthusiasts are celebrating in Cornwall after two pairs of choughs successfully raised eight fledglings.
Basis For Potato Blight Control Becomes Visible
Potato blight, false mildew, sudden oak death and a disease in salmon are all caused by a group of miniscule, yet destructive, organisms called Oomycetes. Because of their changeability and...
New protein structures replace the old
Dutch software to weed out errors in Protein Data Bank.
US human spacefaring questioned
Review panel takes a hard look at NASA's goal of returning astronauts to the Moon.
Experts examine risks to birds from wind turbines (w/ Video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- Are wind turbines dangerous to billions of migrating birds?
Neural brain noise may affect our vision
NASHVILLE, June 24 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have determined neural "noise" may cause a person to miss important changes in the environment.