Biology
Bubbles the food-stealing dolphin finds shortcut to easy meal
A dolphin that harasses fish until they regurgitate their food—then swoops in to steal it—has astonished University of the Sunshine Coast researchers who have documented this nove…
Invasive little fire ants prefer cooked beef, seeds over tuna
If you are trying to detect or bait little fire ants in your backyard, scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa suggest swapping tuna for cooked beef and sunflower seeds. …
Young European shags reveal how first winter experiences may guide migration
Should I stay or should I go? What determines whether birds migrate for the winter? This is one of the questions explored in a new doctoral thesis by Cassandra Ugland from NTNU's …
'HyperBird' imaging platform spots grape diseases before they're visible
HyperBird, a cutting-edge imaging platform for observing microscopic traits in plants, can detect grape diseases—such as powdery and downy mildews, which cost vineyard owners bill…
Small farming management changes could help protect birds under threat
New research from the University of Aberdeen and Edinburgh Napier University has found that simple changes to the timing of conservation measures on farmland could significantly i…
For many group-living females, breeding and raising young are shared endeavors
Some female animals living in groups raise offspring that are not their own, sometimes without reproducing themselves. While the behavior of cooperatively breeding species is well…
Is collagen a lie? - video
Collagen powders, gummies and pills have boomed in popularity in recent years boosted by claims that they smooth wrinkles, promote glossy hair and help with joint pain. Amid the n…
Just add fish: Scientists pursue more rice, less disease in Senegal paddies
Half smiling through crinkled eyes, Moussa Ndiaye, in his long tunic and skullcap, watched a combine harvest his northern Senegal rice paddy, where he expects a good haul—not just…
Researchers invent novel eDNA membrane to advance understanding of inshore fish diversity
Monitoring marine life helps scientists track ecosystem health, improve conservation and manage fisheries. A promising approach is environmental DNA (eDNA), which refers to trace …
Parakeets, male or female, love a good fight
In a study of monk parakeets, researchers at the University of Cincinnati and Duke University found that sex has little to no impact on who initiates fights, who is targeted or wh…
Scientists discover dispersal mechanism and new gene family in harmful E. coli strains
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have identified how certain dangerous bacteria spread. They studied chain-like adherence pattern (CLAP) varieties of Shiga toxin-pro…
Structural study explains how cells stabilize protective membrane pockets
Our cells' membranes have many functions. They not only provide mechanical protection but also precisely control which substances enter or leave cells. If they fail to perform the…
AI models enable cross-species mapping of cell biology
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed two new artificial intelligence models of the biological cell. The first, called universal cell embedding, paved the way for a seco…
Every animal, even the smallest rodent, deserves safe anesthesia, say researchers
Laboratory animals are anesthetized to avoid pain during invasive procedures. Anesthesia is necessary for these animals' welfare, but it is not always without problems: Substandar…
Three DNA loops prove essential for efficient wing tissue regeneration in fruit flies
After an injury, DNA not only changes its activity but also the way it is organized spatially within the cell nucleus. In this process, certain regions of DNA establish new physic…
Forest fire smoke reduces bird diversity, study suggests
When forests burn, the direct consequences are obvious: houses go up in flames and habitats are destroyed. The damage caused by smoke extending far beyond the fire area is less vi…
Common wastewater pollutant turns male minnows into poorer parents and fiercer rivals
A team of researchers has found that a common wastewater pollutant turned male fathead minnows into worse fathers and fiercer rivals, revealing ecological impacts that laboratory …
Radiation-tolerant rotifers rebuild broken chromosomes over successive generations
DNA repair mechanisms are essential for maintaining the integrity of our genome. When they malfunction, they can cause disease or contribute to the development of cancer. Nature, …
Antibody cocktails could steer viruses into evolutionary dead ends
When a virus mutates, the world usually finds out the hard way. Variants of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can slip past vaccines and antibody drugs before scientists fully understand w…
Researchers identify rubber-related chemicals in Swiss milk
Every year, tire and road wear release an estimated 6 million tons of rubber particles into the environment, some of which eventually reach agricultural land through the air, wate…
First confirmed Diplodocus outside North America reshapes Late Jurassic migration picture
In a discovery that challenges our understanding of dinosaur distribution during the Late Jurassic period, paleontologists have identified the first evidence of the iconic Diplodo…
Only 1 out of every 5 amphibian type localities in Ecuador are in protected areas
In taxonomy, the location where specimens used to formally describe a new species are collected is called a type locality. These sites can be thought of as the species' formal bir…
Chocolate's new climate threat: Too much rain
Cocoa farmers in West Africa cannot stop intense downpours from damaging their crops. But they may be able to anticipate the risk and prepare, protecting both their livelihoods an…
Cancer-linked protein binds to chromosome in unexpected way, study finds
A new 3D structure of a cancer-linked protein bound to its cellular partner reveals details of how the protein binds to chromosomes and could offer insights for future disease tre…