Biology News

Levels of coumarin in cassia cinnamon vary greatly even in bark from the same tree Saturday, November 6, 2010 - 23:00
variation exists in the amounts of coumarin in bark samples of cassia cinnamon from trees growing in Indonesia, scientists are reporting in a new study. That natural ingredient in the spice may carry
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Stone Age humans needed more brain power to make big leap in tool design, says study Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 23:00
Stone Age humans were only able to develop relatively advanced tools after their brains evolved a greater capacity for complex thought, according to new research
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The length of the finger points to promiscuity of early humans Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - 23:00

A new study indicates that Neanderthals and early humans were more promiscuous than most human populations today. The research team reached their conclusion by measuring the fossilised finger bones of

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Tiny marine creatures could help diagnose the health of Puget Sound Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - 23:00
From low oxygen levels in areas of Hood Canal to pollution in Elliott and Commencement bays, scientists have documented some serious environmental issues in Puget Sound, whose shores are home to more
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Lizard sex linked to climate Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - 23:00
A Tasmanian lizard has evolved to give birth to more male or more female offspring depending on climatic conditions, Oxford University scientists have discovered. The snow skink (Niveoscincus ocellatu
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Scientists Help Solve Mystery of "Alien Pod" Monday, November 1, 2010 - 23:00
This freshwater bryozoan was found in the lake in City Center at Oyster Point (Newport News). Bryozoans are filter feeders that live in encrusting and branching colonies, mostly in seawater. This colo
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Ears tuned to water: For a bat's echolocation system, all smooth horizontal surfaces are water Monday, November 1, 2010 - 23:00

For bats any smooth, horizontal surface is water. Even so if vision, olfaction or touch tells them it is actually a metal, plastic or wooden plate. Bats therefore rely more on their ears than on any o

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Wild Scottish sheep could help explain differences in immunity Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 23:00
Strong immunity may play a key role in determining long life, but may do so at the expense of reduced fertility, a Princeton University study has concluded. An 11-year study of a population of wild sh
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