Biology
From the smallest microbe to the largest dinosaurs and from the tiniest spore to the biggest giant sequoia, biological research continues to uncover weird and wonderful secrets.
Latest News
-
Longevity gene in golden retrievers related to human cancer gene
October 19, 2023Researchers have identified a gene in golden retrievers associated with long life that’s related to a gene that causes cancer cells to grow quickly in humans. The discovery has the potential to help our furry besties and us. -
Snake's worst day captured in very rare sighting of unusual animal behavior
October 19, 2023While we all know it's a dog-eat-dog world, so to speak, an Australian snake species has taken the suggestion of cannibalism very literally and has been captured consuming a smaller, and very unlucky, version of itself. -
Naturally occurring anti-aging compound enhances fertility in older mice
October 16, 2023Researchers have found that a naturally occurring compound enhances fertility in older female mice by reversing age-related reproductive cell decline . The discovery could one day aid in developing treatments to improve human fertility. -
Thousands of Fanzor DNA cutters that may outperform CRISPR identified
October 15, 2023Following on from the discovery of programmable DNA-cutting enzymes Fanzors, scientists have identified more than 3,600 Fanzors in a broad set of species. It presents a massive opportunity in the development of new medicines, gene therapy and biotech. -
Fat Bear Week has crowned a huge new champion of chonk
October 11, 2023A new heavyweight hero has emerged from the waters of Brooks River to claim the title of summer fatty, conquering some sizeable competition among the bears of Alaska's Katmai National Park. For them, big is not just beautiful but crucial for survival. -
Croak it: Female frogs fake death to avoid sex with unappealing males
October 10, 2023During the European frog's 'explosive breeding' sessions, it's not uncommon to see multiple males pile on a single female. Now, they're fighting back, performing some Oscar-worthy acting to convince their pushy mates that the coupling is a dead end. -
New taste: Sweet, salty, bitter, sour, umami and … ammonium chloride?
October 05, 2023Researchers have uncovered the mechanism by which our taste buds detect ammonium chloride, exemplified by the distinct taste of salty licorice. They say the discovery provides evidence for the existence of a sixth basic taste. -
We see what was on the trilobite menu nearly half a billion years ago
September 27, 2023Some 465 million years ago this marine scavenger was caught unawares by a mud current that would bury it alive. It had spent its last hours feasting on a large range of seafood, and now, thanks to the latest imaging tech, its last meal has been revealed. -
Look out, L'Oréal: Whales play with seaweed to exfoliate their skin
September 27, 2023Play is a vital part of animal behavior, helping to form social structures and bonds, develop cognitive function and enhance physical abilities. Now, it's believed whale play with seaweed to scrub off dead skin cells and parasites as they migrate. -
'Emotional' worms offer clues to how genetics may drive our own feelings
September 26, 2023Delivering electric shocks to 1mm-long roundworms may sound rather meanspirited, but scientists have used this stimuli to uncover some curious behaviors of C. elegans that could further our understanding of human emotional mechanisms. -
“Jumping genes” pathway provides a potential way to slow aging
September 25, 2023Researchers have found that quieting some mobile DNA sequences in roundworms led to a longer life. Not only does the discovery provide a greater understanding of how we age, but it also opens the door to potential applications in biology and medicine. -
New rare gene discovery provides further insights into male hair loss
September 24, 2023A new study has identified rare genetic variants associated with male pattern hair loss. In addition to increasing our understanding of the condition, the findings may pave the way for personalized therapies. -
First RNA extracted from extinct species may help thylacine resurrection
September 24, 2023Scientists have successfully extracted RNA from an extinct species for the first time. This was achieved in the thylacine, a species of carnivorous marsupial that roamed Australia until a century ago – and may again one day, if current plans bear fruit. -
Catastrophic avian influenza reaches the Galapagos for the first time
September 22, 2023Almost 200 years on from when Charles Darwin observed his Galapagos Islands finches, which became the emblems of his theory of evolution, birds in the region are again in the news for what many scientists warn could be the source of the next pandemic. -
Parasite turns hapless ants into zombies at sunrise and sunset
September 17, 2023Hijacking the body of another animal is nothing new in the opportunistic world of parasitism. But for the first time, scientists have observed how one crafty flatworm can switch ‘zombie mode’ on and off, leaving its host ant stuck between life and death.
Load More