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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

ScienceDaily: Top Science News

ScienceDaily: Top Science News


Two mutations triggered an evolutionary leap 500 million years ago

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 12:26 PM PDT

Scientists have discovered two key mutations that sparked a hormonal revolution 500 million years ago. In a feat of "molecular time travel," the researchers resurrected and analyzed the functions of the ancestors of genes that play key roles in modern human reproduction, development, immunity and cancer.

Migrating animals add new depth to how the ocean 'breathes'

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 11:48 AM PDT

Animals ranging from plankton to small fish consume vast amounts of what little oxygen is available in the deep ocean, and may reveal a crucial and unappreciated role that animals have in ocean chemistry on a global scale.

'Singing' rats show hope for older humans with age-related voice problems

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 11:14 AM PDT

New research from speech and hearing science professors shows training rats to "sing" could provide a model for voice therapy that will, in turn, help aging humans with vocal problems.

Reading DNA, backward and forward: Biologists reveal how cells control the direction in which the genome is read

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 11:14 AM PDT

Biologists have discovered a mechanism that allows cells to read their own DNA in the correct direction and prevents them from copying most of the so-called "junk DNA" that makes up long stretches of our genome.

How fish swim: Researchers examine mechanical bases for the emergence of undulatory swimmers

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 10:31 AM PDT

How do fish swim? It is a simple question, but there is no simple answer. Researchers have now gleaned insight into the mechanical properties that allow them to perform their seemingly complex movements.

Excited, but cold: Scientists unveil the secret of a reaction for prebiotic synthesis of organic matter

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 07:42 AM PDT

How is it that a complex organism evolves from a pile of dead matter? How can lifeless materials become organic molecules that are the bricks of animals and plants? Scientists have been trying to answer these questions for ages. Researchers have now disclosed the secret of a reaction that has to do with the synthesis of complex organic matter before the origin of life.

Biological arithmetic: Plants do sums to get through the night

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 06:35 AM PDT

Using fundamental processes instead of brain cells, plants measure the time until dawn and divide that by their stored starch levels. Researchers say that this ability in plants represents the first concrete example in a fundamental biological process of such a sophisticated arithmetic calculation.

Mystery of the gigantic storm on Saturn

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 04:57 AM PDT

We now understand the nature of the giant storms on Saturn. Through the analysis of images as well as the computer models of the storms and the examination of the clouds therein, astronomers have managed to explain the behavior of these storms for the very first time.

Robo-pets may contribute to quality of life for those with dementia

Posted: 24 Jun 2013 04:57 AM PDT

Robotic animals can help to improve the quality of life for people with dementia, according to new research.

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