Latest science news in Biology & Nature
Mathematical Model Used To Explain Viral Extinction
Researchers have developed a mathematical model which demonstrates that a mild increase in the mutation rate of some viruses can reduce their infectivity, driving them to extinction.
New Human Movement Model Can Aid In Studying Epidemic Outbreaks, Public Planning
Researchers have developed a new statistical model that simulates human mobility patterns, mimicking the way people move over the course of a day, a month or longer. The model is...
Evolution Of Human Sex Roles More Complex Than Described By Universal Theory
A new study challenges long-standing expectations that men are promiscuous and women tend to be more particular when it comes to choosing a mate. The research suggests that human mating...
How House-hunting Ants Choose The Best Home
Direct comparison of alternatives isn't always the best way to make a decision -- at least if you're an ant. House-hunting rock ants collectively manage to choose the best nest-site...
Grouping Muscles To Make Controlling Limbs Easier
Researchers have shown that it could be possible to control a limb by stimulating groups of muscles rather than individual muscles -- a finding that could be useful in future...
Chemists synthesize fungal compound with anti-cancer activity
(PhysOrg.com) -- Ten years ago, William Fenical of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography isolated from an ocean-living fungus a compound that has since shown the ability to kill cancer cells...
Diabetes: MicroRNA Protects Beta Cells
A decade ago, biologists did not know that microRNA existed. Now it has become clear that short, noncoding RNAs regulate numerous important processes in our bodies. One new example is...
Science Briefing
Genetics: Cow genome deciphered / Stem cells: Skin cells transformed / Aeronautics: Space shuttle launch may be moved up / Biology: Stronger spider silk / Archaeology: Web-footed carnivore fossil ...
New species of tree identified in Ethiopia
The Acacia fumosa is widespread but had probably been overlooked by botanists because of its remote location and violence there. ...
Detection Of Campylobacter In Air Samples May Offer New Monitoring System For Broiler Flocks
New research from Denmark suggests a promising method using air samples to continuously monitor broiler flocks for the presence of the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter.
The Story Of X: Evolution Of A Sex Chromosome
The sex chromosomes -- XX in women and XY in men -- date from the earliest mammals, but how did they evolve to look as they do today? While the...
Learn How You'll Die For Only $68,000
No doubt you have it on your calendars, but in case you forgot, the 25th is National DNA Day. Can't think how to celebrate it? Well, if you have $68,000...
Handsome devils to the rescue in Extinction Sucks
Australians Aleisha Caruso and Ashleigh Young enlist the help of a posse of 'handsome devils' in this week's episode of Extinction Sucks as they join the fight to save the...
Genetic Variations May Give Clues to Intracranial Aneurysms
(PhysOrg.com) -- An international study led by University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers has detected two genetic variations that could provide insight into why intracranial aneurysms develop.
Sex roles lose their universal appeal
A new analysis of cross-cultural data challenges the notion that evolution produced promiscuous males and choosy females
Laughing Hyenas, Wailing Levees, the Sound of Cheese, and Blaring Bagpipes: Highlights of the 157th ASA Meeting
Deteriorating screws in bridges, fish that listen in the dark, medical devices that use sound to treat disease, the detected comeback of a long-gone whale, the sound of hyenas, cheese,...
Red Pandas Have a Sweet Tooth
Red pandas found to have taste for aspartame, could lead to better understanding of sweet receptors.
Chip simulates metabolism of medicine in human body
(PhysOrg.com) -- A tiny electrochemical cell, developed by researchers of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, The Netherlands, is able to mimick the behaviour of medicine inside a human body. This...
Amur tigers threatened by economic crisis
Loggers in Russia's Far East increasingly are cutting down Korean cedar pine, raising concerns that the endangered Amur tiger could lose critical habitat and its prey could lose a major...
Conservatives to introduce anti-spam bill Friday
The Conservative government is set to introduce anti-spam legislation on Friday that if passed would target individuals who send harmful or deceptive unsolicited emails and cellphone text messages.
Animals Get The Boot From Bronx Zoo
Cash-strapped Bronx Zoo officials told a New York City Council committee that they need to send away deer, bats, foxes, antelopes and other creatures to zoos around the country.
Record-Breaking Recovery After Deadly Spider Bite?
A 94-year-old Australian woman may be the oldest person known to survive the bite of a male Sydney funnel-web spider, one of the world's deadliest spiders. Video.
University Research Shaping Sea-based Missile Defense
Mississippi State University research into sea-based missile defense interceptors is giving the Defense Department flexibility to deal with a variety of international threats.
First albino buffalo spotted in Kenyan park
Rangers in Kenya's Hellsgate National Park have spotted an albino buffalo, the first of its kind ever recorded in the wildlife rich country, park officials said Friday.
A chicken coup: Group seeks to protect rare breeds
(AP) -- At about the time Foghorn Leghorn appeared on the Looney Toons drawing board in 1946, he began disappearing from America's dinner tables.
Germany bans GM maize
Germany’s ban of a GM maize strain raises industry fears the country may reverse its GM-tolerant stance
Orchard losses 'threaten species'
The disappearance of traditional fruit orchards from England's landscape threatens wildlife species, warn conservationists.
Immune cell offers new clue to worst malaria cases
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A novel immune cell may offer an important new clue to why malaria kills some people and not others. Australian researchers discovered a...