Biology news

Atomic-level Snapshot Catches Protein Motor in Action (w/ Video)

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

1hour ago | not rated yet | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- The atomic-level action of a remarkable class of ring-shaped protein motors has been uncovered by researchers with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory using a state-of-the-art protein ...

Termite creates sustainable monoculture fungus-farming

Biology / Plants & Animals

31 minutes ago | not rated yet | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Food production of modern human societies is mostly based on large-scale monoculture crops, but it now appears that advanced insect societies have the same practice. Our societies took just ...

Sponges against cancer

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

2 hours ago | not rated yet | 0

Deep under the sea, there's a battle of life and death going on, with no holds barred. Sponges and other marine animals which cannot move around might seem to be defenceless against predators. Yet nothing is further from ...

The Worm That Turned Evolutionary Key

Biology / Biotechnology

8 hours ago | 3 / 5 (1) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- The Keelworm, widespread in the seas and tide-pools around Scotland and the rest of the UK, is unwittingly helping scientists at the University of St Andrews to understand the evolution of modern animals.

Microwave Meter Measures Moisture and Density of In-Shell Peanuts

Biology / Other

4 hours ago | not rated yet | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- A microwave meter that instantaneously measures both moisture and density of in-shell peanuts has been developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists, making it easier and faster ...

Reference Genome of Maize Published (w/ Podcast)

Biology / Biotechnology

Nov 19, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- A four-year, multi-institutional effort co-led by three Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory scientists culminated today in publication of a landmark series of papers in the journal Science reveal ...

Unknowlingly consuming endangered tuna

Biology / Ecology

Nov 19, 2009 | 5 / 5 (3) | 2

While most of us would never willingly consume a highly endangered species, doing so might be as easy as plucking sushi from a bento box. New genetic detective work from the Sackler Institute for Comparative ...

The evolution of orchids

Biology / Plants & Animals

Nov 19, 2009 | 4.8 / 5 (8) | 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- Charles Darwin and many other scientists have long been puzzled by the evolution of orchids, the largest and most diverse family of flowering plants on Earth. Now genetic sequencing is giving ...

Like humans, ants use bacteria to make their gardens grow

Biology / Plants & Animals

Nov 19, 2009 | 5 / 5 (2) | 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- Leaf-cutter ants, which cultivate fungus for food, have many remarkable qualities.

Scientists unlock clues for tailoring corn plant for food, energy needs

Biology / Biotechnology

Nov 19, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists have long known that the offspring of two inbred strains tend to be superior to both their parents. Now, a team of researchers including a University of Florida geneticist has discovered clues ...

Probing Question: What is a heritage turkey?

Biology / Other

Nov 19, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Over 45 million turkeys are eaten by Americans each Thanksgiving, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hunters provide some -- last autumn, about 24,000 wild turkeys were harvested ...

Microorganism may provide key to combating giant salvinia throughout Louisiana

Biology / Ecology

Nov 19, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

A team of researchers at Louisiana Tech University has found that a naturally occurring microorganism acts as a natural herbicide against giant salvinia.

Technique finds gene regulatory sites without knowledge of regulators

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

Nov 19, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

A new statistical technique developed by researchers at the University of Illinois allows scientists to scan a genome for specific gene-regulatory regions without requiring prior knowledge of the relevant transcription factors. ...

Scientists find frog legs trade may facilitate spread of pathogens

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

Nov 19, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

Most countries throughout the world participate in the $40-million-per-year culinary trade of frog legs in some way, with 75 percent of frog legs consumed in France, Belgium and the United States. Scientists ...

Researchers take aim at hard-to-treat fungal infections

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

Nov 19, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

A team of researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center at Gateway Park has developed a new model system to study fungal infections. The system can be a powerful ...

The benefits of stress ... in plants

Biology / Plants & Animals

Nov 19, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

Chronic stress in humans has been implicated in heart disease, weight gain, and diabetes, among a host of other health problems. Extreme environments, a source of chronic stress, present a challenge even for the hardiest ...

Invasive Nettle Moth Triggers Hawaii Research

Biology / Ecology

Nov 19, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Like children everywhere, kids in Hawaii love to run barefoot through tall grass. But an invasive pest called the nettle moth caterpillar can take the fun out of this simple childhood pleasure, ...

PLoS Genetics 2009 maize genome collection

Biology / Biotechnology

Nov 19, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

Maize is an important crop in many countries of the world. It is widely used for human consumption, animal feed, and industrial materials. It also is considered an exemplar plant species for studying domestication, molecular ...