Latest science news in Biology & Nature
The Sounds of Science
Behold Huia cavitympanum: the only frog species that can communicate through ultrasonic calls too high-pitched for humans to hear. Two scientists made the discovery by camping out with recording devices...
Project launched to fight frog-killing fungus
Researchers are heading to Central America to develop ways to fight a fungus blamed for the extinction of dozens of frog and amphibian species.
Sexually Transmitted Infections: Transistors Used To Detect Fungus Candida Albicans
Scientists have developed a biosensor that makes it possible to detect small quantities of the fungus Candida albicans, the cause of common sexually-transmitted infections, within just an hour. The technique...
Bacteria Play Role In Preventing Spread Of Malaria
Bacteria in the gut of the Anopheles gambiae mosquito inhibit infection of the insect with Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria in humans, according to new research. Scientists found...
Right whales break birth record
Right whales have plenty to celebrate this Mother's Day — the sea moms gave birth to a record 39 calves this spring.
Origin of brain tumour discovered
Glioma is the most common and most serious form of brain tumours that affect adults. It has not yet been determined which specific type of cell in the brain is...
Sex life of plants reveals conflicts between the sexes
The pollen grains of male plants live in great competition. A grain of pollen that succeeds in manipulating the flower's pistil can emerge victorious from the struggle. This is shown...
Researchers identify the gene responsible for a rare form of congenital anaemia
The latest electronic edition of the journal Nature Genetics reports the discovery of a new gene responsible for congenital sideroblastic anaemia, a rare disease, mainly characterised by the presence of...
Managing Douglas-fir forests for diversity
Creating diverse forests for multiple uses is important to natural resource managers and landowners. A study conducted in southwestern Oregon provides forest managers with information that offers choices when managing...
Level Of Cellular Stress Determines Longevity Of Retinal Cells
Stress can be adaptive. It can make you sharper, help you focus and it can even improve your performance. But too much of it can tax cells to the point...
Folic acid is important, but take care not to overdo it
A tailored approach works best as individuals have different needs. ...
IN THE WOMB: "Extreme" Animal Embryos Revealed
From embryonic wasps that mature inside "brainwashed" caterpillars to developing sharks with "superhuman" senses, see pre-birth pictures of animals that have extreme adaptations to the rigors of gestation.
Biocides inducing resistance in Lascaux cave’s microbes
Study makes researchers wonder whether they should treat fungus or not
Nanoparticles nurse neurodegenerative diseases
Silica-based gene delivery stimulates nerve cell formation in the brain
The Science of Sneezing: Modeling Spray Exposure
Math models help understand how viruses travel through sneezing and other pathways.
Gorilla mums keep family in check
Female gorillas clap their hands together to get the attention of male silverbacks and infants, scientists find.
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. In a study published May 8 in the open-access journal PLoS...
Beetle, fungus threaten Florida's avocado industry
(AP) -- A little beetle could cause big problems for Florida's multimillion-dollar avocado industry.
2 rare elephants found dead in Indonesian jungle
(AP) -- Two rare Sumatran elephants believed to have been poisoned with cyanide-laced pineapples were found dead in the jungles of northwestern Indonesia with their tusks removed, a conservationist...
World's smallest pigs 'thriving'
Camera-trap footage reveals pygmy hogs are doing well following their release into the wild last year.
Vast reserve to protect remote Prince Edward Islands
South Africa's declaration to establish one of the world's largest Marine Protected Area's (MPA) around its Prince Edward Islands, is a marine conservation achievement of global importance which will help...
Water dance enhances microbial reproduction
Common algae use fluid dynamics to improve effectiveness of mating
Why Some Newly Planted Trees Die: Stresses During Handling And Transport Affect Tree Health, Survival
Consider the cumulative stresses that transplanted trees must endure from the time they are harvested until they become established in a landscape. Multiple stress factors can mean the difference between...
MOTHER'S DAY MAYHEM: 5 "Worst" Animal Moms?
Meet the animal world's "worst" mothers—and find out why their tough parenting may not be so awful after all.
Scientists develop new technology for tracking algal toxins
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new tool for tracking algal toxins is under development at UC Santa Cruz.
Domestication led to horse color explosion
The earliest domesticators of horses preferred their steeds colorful instead of color dull, according to a new study that determined breeding by humans caused horses to produce a veritable paint...
First sea trials for deep-ocean robotic DNA lab
(PhysOrg.com) -- In late April 2009, a team of MBARI researchers tested the world's only deep-sea robotic DNA lab beneath the waters of Monterey Bay.
New tag could enable more detailed structural studies of mammalian proteins
(PhysOrg.com) -- To say our genes are resourceful is a gross understatement. Through ingenious combinations of a paltry 20 amino acids, the basic building blocks of life, genes engineer all...