How 'nature's ultimate sensory machines' integrate sight and smell

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“Flies are nature’s ultimate sensory machines, outperforming any human-engineered devices,” said Mark Frye of the University of California, Los Angeles. Adult fruit flies can distinguish small differences in odor concentration across antennae separated by less than one millimeter. Flies can also see in all directions at once, though the picture may be grainy.


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All News summaries for February 14, 2008

Large population of endangered dolphins found off Bangladesh

6 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
The world's largest population of vulnerable Irrawaddy dolphins -- famed as aquarium attractions -- has been found in Bangladesh's waters, according to a five-year wildlife study.

Endangered Miss. frogs get a break in the weather

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(AP) -- Pick up a Mississippi gopher frog and it covers its eyes with its forefeet, like someone afraid to see what's coming next. And for at least a decade, it's had a good reason not to look.

Nobel Prize winner Dr. George Palade dies at 95

6 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- Dr. George Palade, who won a Nobel Prize in 1974 for his work isolating and identifying cell structure and helped create one of the leading cell biology programs in the nation at the University of ...

Lost manatee headed to Fla. after Mass. rescue

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(AP) -- A wayward manatee is headed home to Florida after being pulled from frigid Cape Cod waters in an early morning rescue.

Landmark study unlocks stem cell, DNA secrets to speed therapies

Oct 10, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
In a groundbreaking study led by an eminent molecular biologist at Florida State University, researchers have discovered that as embryonic stem cells turn into different cell types, there are dramatic corresponding ...