Biology News Net - Biology

Study says eyes evolved for X-Ray vision

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:05:01 -0500

he eyes of some mammals have evolved to point in the same direction. While animals with forward facing eyes lose the ability to see what's behind them, they gain X-ray vision, which makes it possible for them to see through the clutter in the world. Credit: Rensselaer/Changizi The advantage of using two eyes to see the world around us has long been associated solely with our capacity to see in 3-D. Now, a new study from a scientist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has uncovered a truly eye-opening advantage to binocular vision: our ability to see through things.

Bitter-tasting nectar and floral odors optimize outcrossing for plants

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:05:00 -0500

Animals "personally" bring their gametes together – seeking out sexual partners, mating, fertilizing, and reproducing. Plants, however, are sessile organisms and require the help of a third party, the pollinator, which can be a bird, mouse or insect that transport pollen to receptive stigmas frequently over large distances. The colors and shapes of flowers as well as their volatile signals and nectar attract and reward the pollinators for their efforts. But not all flower visitors are pollinators, as many come only to steal nectar without transporting pollen or eat flower parts.

New giant clam species offers window into human past

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:05:00 -0500

Researchers report the discovery of the first new living species of giant clam in two decades, according to a report to be published online on August 28th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication. While fossil evidence reveals that the new species, called Tridacna costata, once accounted for more than 80 percent of giant clams in the Red Sea, it now represents less than one percent of giant clams living there.

Unexpected large monkey population discovered

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:05:00 -0500

A WCS report reveals surprisingly large populations of two globally threatened primates in a protected area in Cambodia.

Study of islands reveals surprising extinction results

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:46:52 -0500

It's no secret that humans are having a huge impact on the life cycles of plants and animals. UC Santa Barbara's Steven D. Gaines and fellow researcher Dov Sax decided to test that theory by studying the world's far-flung islands.

UBC scientist unveils secret of newborn's first words

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:46:52 -0500

A new study could explain why "daddy" and "mommy" are often a baby's first words – the human brain may be hard-wired to recognize certain repetition patterns.

Yerkes researchers find monkeys enjoy giving to others

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:08:30 -0500

Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, have shown capuchin monkeys, just like humans, find giving to be a satisfying experience. This finding comes on the coattails of a recent imaging study in humans that documented activity in reward centers of the brain after humans gave to charity. Empathy in seeing the pleasure of another's fortune is thought to be the impetus for sharing, a trait this study shows transcends primate species.

'Perfect pitch' in humans far more prevalent than expected

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:08:29 -0500

Researchers at the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences have developed a unique test for perfect pitch, and have found surprising results.

How 'secondary' sex characters can drive the origin of species

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:18:47 -0500

The ostentatious, sometimes bizarre qualities that improve a creature's chances of finding a mate may also drive the reproductive separation of populations and the evolution of new species, say two Indiana University Bloomington biologists.

Yale undergrads' Amazon trip yields a treasure trove of diversity

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:21:28 -0500

A group of Yale undergraduates have discovered dozens of potentially beneficial bioactive microorganisms within plants they collected in the Amazon rain forest, including several so genetically distinct that they may be the first members of new taxonomical genera.