Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Library of the fruit fly genome created
HOUSTON, May 27 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've created a library of clones covering most of the genome of Drosophila melanogaster, a genus of fruit fly, to...
Study finds yeast has full sexual cycle
DURHAM, N.C., May 27 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say an emerging form of the pathogenic yeast Candida can complete a full sexual cycle in a test tube, even...
US asks to host its first UNESCO institute
A water resources institute in Virginia is set to become UNESCO's first US-based establishment.
Experts identify toxic compound in deadly mushroom
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Scientists have said they had identified the toxin in a species of mushroom that killed seven people in Japan in recent years.
Drought worse than thought
Australia's drought is far worse than previously thought, according to new satellite images revealing the impact on the Murray-Darling Basin.
Organic fruit grows sustainably
New Zealand researchers have discovered that organic fruit operations use less energy and have a gentler impact on the environment.
Baby fish can climb ropes
Researchers have discovered that whitebait can climb ropes, a skill that could help endangered fish access food and breeding habitats.
Scientists find rivers' patterns
Waterways will soon be easier to manage, thanks to the new finding that all of Australia's rivers follow 12 distinct patterns.
Primate Eye Evolution: Small Evolutionary Shifts Make Big Impacts -- Like Developing Night Vision
Minor differences in the timing of cell proliferation can explain the large differences found in the eyes of two species -- owl monkeys and capuchin monkeys -- that evolved from...
Another Way Lead Kills Condors
The two endangered condors found riddled with shotgun pellets coinciding with a lead bullet ban prompted a search for the shooter in California.
Fishermen turn to rays as sharks decline
LONDON, May 23 (UPI) -- With shark populations tumbling around the world, Chinese cooks are turning to manta and devil rays to fill their shark fin soup pots.
Rhino poaching increasing in Nepal
KATHMANDU, Nepal, May 23 (UPI) -- Incidents of rhinoceros poaching are on the rise in Nepal, an official said.
ASU new species list has longest insect
PHOENIX, May 23 (UPI) -- A Malaysian insect, at 22 inches the longest insect in the world, is among the top 10 species found in 2008, Arizona State...
Paper protection not enough for Vietnam's marine turtles
Marine turtles are vanishing from Vietnam's waters and illegal trade is largely to blame says a new study by TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network...
Waxy plant substance key for absorption of water, nutrients
While proving a long-held theory that suberin blocks water and nutrient absorption in plants, a Purdue University scientist learned more about manipulating the substance to better feed plants...
Genetic analysis of swine flu virus reveals diverse parts
Components have existed for years but are combined in a new way
Tiny seahorse among new species
A pea-sized seahorse, caffeine-free coffee plant, and bacteria that live in hairspray were among the top 10 new species of 2008 announced by scientiststoday.
Helpful Fish: Cooperative Cichlids Boost Their Own Reproductive Success
Subordinate individuals living within a group of vertebrates sometimes assist a more dominant pair by helping to raise the dominant pair's offspring -- this has been shown to occur among...
Surprising Twist To Photosynthesis: Scientists Swap Key Metal Necessary For Turning Sunlight Into Chemical Energy
Photosynthesis is a remarkable biological process that supports life on earth. Plants and photosynthetic microbes do so by harvesting light to produce their food, and in the process, also provide...
Is Poisonous Pollen Enough To Put Bees Off Their Dinner?
Chemical weapons against uninvited dinner guests: Scientists test whether the pollen of certain flowers contains toxins that give bees an upset stomach and protects the plant from the diligent pollen...
Here's what's in those weight-loss supplements
Weight-loss product labels don't always say exactly what's inside. Here are the most common ingredients. ...
Cosmic Log: ‘Why Files’ revealed
Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Can poker make you sick? Why is it hard to say "never again" to genocide? "The Why Files" takes on scientific posers great and small,...
Ottawa dedicates park in memory of anti-smoking advocate
An Ottawa park was renamed Friday in memory of Heather Crowe, an anti-smoking advocate who died of lung cancer three years ago.
Implanting 1 embryo better than 2, fertility experts say
A growing number of fertility experts say implanting a single embryo during in vitro fertilization is better for mothers, babies and the public health system.
Forestry officials on urgent mission: Beetles
(AP) -- Forestry officials in the Northeast are on an urgent mission, tracking thousands of Massachusetts residents as they search for tree-eating stowaway insects they may have carried to...
UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News
Europe's amphibians, reptiles vanishing ... Brits warned away from half of beaches ... Virus wipes out cancer cells ... Celebrated eaglet dies as Web cam watches ... Health/Science news...
Electricity generates implant coating with potential
A way to make medical implants last longer makes them more biocompatible than at first thought
‘Printing’ organs with hydrogels
Tissue grafts could one day be grown on cell-containing scaffolds printed using a polymer hydrogel ‘ink’