Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Strange Bird Gets Private Beach In Indonesia
A private beach is a luxury for most, but for the maleo--an endangered bird found only on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi--an exclusive stretch of sand is now a protected...
Cocaine-linked Genes Enhance Behavioral Effects Of Addiction
New research sheds light on how cocaine regulates gene expression in a crucial reward region of the brain to elicit long-lasting changes in behavior. The study provides exciting insight into...
Brain chemical may play key role in anxiety
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A chemical important for brain development may play a role in explaining why some people are genetically predisposed to anxiety and could lead to new treatments, U.S....
A feasible, simple and convenient model for study of rectal carcinoma
The method of building a rabbit rectal VX2 carcinoma model by injecting the cell suspension of VX2 cells into the wall of the rectum guided by X-ray fluoroscopy is feasible....
Scripps research scientists discover molecular defect involved in hearing loss
Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have elucidated the action of a protein, harmonin, which is involved in the mechanics of hearing. This finding sheds new light on the workings...
miR-196a promotes the metastases of tumours
MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules of 20-25 nucleotides length, regulating gene expression by inhibition of transcription or translation of proteins. High levels of miR-196a, a microRNA suppressing the expression of...
Switchgrass Genome May Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
A recently published study examined the impact of very cheap sequence data (approximately $1 per genome) on improvement of switchgrass, a perennial grass well suited to biomass production.
Can Corporations Own Your DNA?
Private companies hold the patent rights to some of the genes in your body. The companies say the patents help them develop new treatments. But a group of cancer patients...
Genetically Engineered Mice Don't Get Obese, But Do Develop Gallstones
Obesity and gallstones often go hand in hand. But not in a new line of mice. Even when these mice eat high-fat diets, they don't get fat, but they do...
Glucose-To-Glycerol Conversion In Long-lived Yeast Provides Anti-aging Effects
Cell biologists have found a more filling substitute for caloric restriction in extending the life span of simple organisms. Researchers show that yeast cells maintained on a glycerol diet live...
Body Movements Can Influence Problem Solving, Researchers Report
Swinging their arms helped participants in a new study solve a problem whose solution involved swinging strings, researchers report, demonstrating that the brain can use bodily cues to help understand...
Feature: Saving the chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are the closest cousins to humans, yet human activity could send our primate kin to extinction.
Chimps Recover at Brazil Rehab
A sanctuary is giving chimpanzees a second chance at life by rescuing them from harmful and abusive zoos, research laboratories, circuses, and homes. Video.
Gorillas Are No Dummies, Zoo Study Shows
Because gorillas rarely use tools, many scientists thought the great apes were less sharp than chimpanzees. But ongoing research at a Chicago zoo suggests otherwise.
Gene shapes gender identity
A recent study has found that many transsexuals have a modified version of a gene that affects testosterone during development.
Structure of efficient light harvesting antenna in green bacteria determined
An international team of scientists has resolved the structure of chlorophyll in chlorosomes of green bacteria. Chlorosomes are the light harvesting antennae of these bacteria. They are elongated small pockets...
DNA analysis reveals the prime stock of Indonesian cattle
DNA analysis shows that Indonesian zebu cattle have a unique origin with banteng (Bos javanicus) as part of their ancestry...
Instant insight: Molecular shuttle power
Smart dust biosensors may be smaller than a grain of sand but they have big potential, say Henry Hess and colleagues
ChemSpider finds new home
ChemSpider, the open access chemical structure search engine, has been bought by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Molecular Structure Could Help Explain Albinism, Melanoma
Scientists have long known that members of the phenoloxidase family are involved in skin and hair coloring. When they are mutated, they can cause albinism. Produced over abundantly, they are...
Cerebral neurones assist adjacent neurones
Cortical neurones are tightly linked over long distances. It is estimated that the entire length of the linkages between the neurones within a single cubic millimetre of grey matter would...
Environmental regulators warn flea treatments may be toxic to pets
Federal environmental regulators are warning pet owners and veterinarians to closely follow instructions if they use several popular flea and tick treatments, and monitor their pets, as they investigate thousands...
New (and Improved?) Ears Found in Deep Fish
Dissecting rare fish from the sunless abyss of the deep ocean, scientists discovered strange ear structures, which might help give deep fish sharper hearing.
Energy industry embraces Alberta's native prairie grass
The Alberta energy industry hopes a grass that once covered the prairie and fed the great herds of bison will help re-establish grasslands while storing carbon.
River blindness fly makes tasty meal for midges
African scientists have found a type of midge that can eat young blackflies, potentially curbing transmission of river blindness.
Ant Navigation SNL-style
If you appreciated Saturday Night Live's Mother Lover, then this ode to ant navigation should be right up your alley, produced by student in Dave Barner's Developmental Psychology course...
Slow Down and Enjoy The Virtual World Now
Changing your Facebook status to "[Your name here] is dead" would be just one small step in simplifying the post-mortem wrangling and puzzlement over how to update, monitor or remove...
Mammals 'Got Milk' for Past 160 Million Years
Mammals and milk go together — it is produced by all species in this group. The link actually goes back to the Jurassic.