Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Darwinius masillae could shed light on primate family tree
A 47-million-year-old primate fossil, a purported 'missing link' between primates and humans, was unveiled this week in New York. The fossil, formally called Darwinius masillae but nicknamed Ida, could, due...
The evolutionary foundation of genomic imprinting in lower vertebrates
A Chinese scientist group working in College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, has shown that, as mammalian Igf2 CpG island, goldfish Igf2 CpG island has a parental differentially methylated region...
New tool isolates RNA within specific cells
A team of University of Oregon biologists, using fruit flies, has created a way to isolate RNA from specific cells, opening a new window on how gene expression drives normal...
Largest leatherback nesting area found
The world's largest nesting population of leatherback sea turtles has been identified in Africa, it was announced today.
Acidic oceans could aid photosynthesis
(PhysOrg.com) -- Groundbreaking Victoria University research shows that ocean acidification may have no negative effect on tropical corals and local sea anemones - in fact it may improve photosynthesis.
Blue whales back at old stomping grounds
Blue whales are returning to Alaska in search of food and could be re-establishing an old migration route several decades after they were nearly wiped out by commercial whalers, scientists...
Dolphins seen trying to kill calf
Adult tucuxi dolphins have been seen attempting infanticide, a behaviour that is rarely seen in cetaceans.
Non-stick approach to regular polymer vesicles
By being confined to small islands in a ‘non-stick’ sea, self-assembling polymers can form into uniform vesicles of a pre-determined size
Biological Diversity: Islands Beat Mainland Nine To One
Rare and unique ecological communities will be lost if oceanic islands aren't adequately considered in a global conservation plan, a new study has found. Although islands tend to harbor fewer...
Antarctic team boosts medical care with 3D ultrasound
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Australia's Antarctic research stations, cut off for nine months of the year, are taking lessons learned from space to try to improve the diagnosis and treatment of...
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...
Novel genes found for menarche and menopause
Genes controlling menopause and menarche have been identified in two studies by UK twin researchers at the Department of Twin Research, King's College London and published today in Nature Genetics...
Researchers: New approach may outflank AIDS virus
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Like a general whose direct attacks aren't working, scientists are now trying to outflank the HIV/AIDS virus....
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.
Roos have less impact on the environment: study
A comparative study of the energy requirements of kangaroos and sheep has concluded roos have far less impact on the environment than once thought.
Phosphate Balance In Higher Organisms Elucidated
Polyphosphate chains play an important physiological role in many organisms, for example to ensure cell growth even under deficiency conditions. Chemists and biochemists have now gained insight into the basic...
Viroids: Molecular Vestiges Of The RNA World
Viroids are unique systems for the study of RNA structure, function and evolution. They are the minimal RNA replicons characterized so far their genome is ten-fold smaller than that the...
Derivative Of Red Sea Coral May Fight Skin Cancer
Scientists are exploring the mechanisms by which a substance derived ultimately from Red Sea coral could help treat skin cancer.
Florida Bay proposals would restrict boaters
Everglades National Park officials say powerboats have damaged seagrass that supports animal life. The fishing community is concerned the measures go too far. ...
Lights, sound push baby salmon past pumps
TRACY, Calif., May 16 (UPI) -- Biologists say they're using sound, bright lights and bubbles to keep baby salmon from being sucked into pumps on California's San Joaquin...
Thai Navy makes grisly tiger seizure
The Thai Navy has seized two tiger carcasses and 45 pangolins, and arrested eight traffickers who had planned to smuggle the animals across the Mekong River into Lao PDF...
Expression Of Infrared Fluorescence Engineered In Mammals
Researchers have shown that bacterial proteins called phytochromes can be engineered into infrared-fluorescent proteins. Because the wavelength of IFPs is able to penetrate tissue, these proteins are suitable for whole-body...
New Imaging Technique Reveals Structural Changes In Tourette's
Magnetization transfer imaging has been used to visualize previously unknown alterations in the cerebral architecture of patients with Tourette's syndrome. The researchers also found a correlation between the extent of...
Brain-Controlling Flies to Triumph Over Alien Ants?
The battle against invasive fire might be turning a corner, thanks to a fly that "zombifies" the ants from the inside, eats ant brains, then hatches from the hollowed-out head.
Galapagos scientists mount cameras on tortoises
Scientists in the Galapagos Islands have installed cameras on the shells of giant tortoises in a study that could shed light on how they live, mate and migrate.
Barack Obama Drafted to Fight Aliens
It's not enough that he has to rescue the free world from the usual ills.
When Its Environment Changes, So Does a Sparrow's Tune
Lost tapes reveal evolution of bird song