Nature : Science World Report

Aug 26, 2014 11:42 AM EDT

Newly Sequenced Canola Genome Could Create Better Plants

The canola plant is used widely in both farming and industry. Now, scientists have managed to sequence this plant's genome, which may pave the way for improved versions of this plant in the future.

Aug 26, 2014 08:58 AM EDT

Zombie Ant Fungus Knows the Brains of its Insect Hosts

A parasitic "zombie" fungus may only be able to target one specific type of ant. Scientists have found that this fungus, which can manipulate the behavior of ants, only emits its cocktail of behavior-controlling chemicals when encountering the brain of its natural target host.

Aug 26, 2014 07:18 AM EDT

Methane Plumes Discovered in Atlantic Ocean: More Widespread Than Previously Thought

It turns out that natural methane seepage from the seafloor may be more widespread on the Atlantic margin than previously thought.

Aug 25, 2014 12:03 PM EDT

Scientists Uncover Evolutionary History of Honeybees

Scientists are learning a bit more about honeybees. They've conducted the first ever global analysis of genome variation in these insects, revealing a bit more about their genetic diversity and evolutionary history.

Aug 25, 2014 08:38 AM EDT

It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Sprinting Salmon Less Likely to Survive Migration

Scientists have found that fish which essentially "sprint" to their spawning groups through fast-moving waters are less likely to survive than those who take it a bit easier.

Aug 25, 2014 06:58 AM EDT

Ancient, Fossilized Crustacean Hunted its Prey with Spiny Limbs

A carnivorous crustacean that roamed Earth's seas about 435 million years ago once grasped its prey with spiny limbs before devouring it.

Aug 23, 2014 09:06 AM EDT

Tucson Zoo Welcomes Birth of Female African Elephant Calf

The Tucson Zoo staff proudly presented its newly-born African elephant calf - first elephant calf ever born at the zoo.

Aug 23, 2014 11:47 PM EDT

Fish Can Sniff Out Bad Coral Neighborhoods: The Smell Test for Reefs

It turns out that a bad neighborhood smells pretty bad--especially when it comes to damaged reefs. Scientists have found that Pacific corals and fish avoid settling in bad regions by sniffing out chemical cues.

Aug 23, 2014 11:47 PM EDT

Animal Speech Isn't As Random as Once Thought: The Intricacies of Language

It turns out that animals may have more complicated "speech" patterns than once thought. Scientists have found that the calls of many animals, from whales to wolves, may contain more language-like structure than previously thought.

Aug 22, 2014 09:34 AM EDT

Sunlight May be Key to Carbon Dioxide Release from Arctic Permafrost

Scientists have discovered that it's not bacteria triggering the process of Arctic permafrost's carbon being converted to carbon dioxide--but sunlight.

Aug 22, 2014 09:02 AM EDT

Viruses Infect Massive Algal Blooms: Implications for Carbon Capture and Climate

Scientists have found out that viruses infecting algae may be driving the life-and-death dynamics of algae blooms, which could have major implications for our climate.

Aug 22, 2014 07:45 AM EDT

Hot Spring Cyanobacteria Grow in Near Darkness by Using Far-Red Light

It turns out that some cyanobacteria can grow in near darkness, using a previously unknown process for harvesting energy and producing oxygen from sunlight. The new findings could help explain dense blooms that impact Lake Erie and other lakes worldwide.