Dinosaurs Linked to Birds
Saturday April 26, 2008
Molecular analysis of a dinosaur protein has linked dinosaurs to modern birds.
These findings, published in the journal Science, show that dinosaurs share a common ancestor with chickens and ostriches.
Researchers ... Read More
Know Your Frog Anatomy
Friday April 25, 2008
Northern Leopard Frog Credit: Mike Lannoo (USGS)
Frogs have a very interesting anatomy. They have highly specialized structures, such as a long, sticky tongue.
They also have other structures ... Read More
Biology 101
Friday April 25, 2008
What is biology? Simply put, it is the study of life.
From the very small algae to the very large elephant, life has a certain wonder about it.
With that in mind, ... Read More
Larger Hippocampus Means Better Memory
Saturday April 19, 2008
MRI Brain Scan Credit: NIH
Research with Alzheimer's patients has linked greater cognitive ability and memory retention to brain size.
In studies, researchers have performed autopsies on the brains ... Read More
What is the Correct Scientific Name?
Saturday April 19, 2008
Binomial nomenclature involves organizing an organism's scientific name into a combination of two terms.
These terms are the genus name and the species. Both of these terms are italicized and the ... Read More
Three Domain System
Thursday April 17, 2008
The Three Domain System is a system for classifying biological organisms.
This system has replaced the Five Kingdom system that became popular after the late 1960's.
As scientists learn more about organisms, ... Read More
Nasal Spray Anthrax Vaccine
Saturday April 12, 2008
Sterne strain of Bacillus anthracisCredit: Janice Haney Carr/CDC
Researchers have developed a nasal vaccine that protects against anthrax.
A vaccine for anthrax already exists, but can only be delivered ... Read More
Show What You Know About Viruses
Thursday April 10, 2008
Influenza Virus ParticlesCredit: Dr. F. A. Murphy/CDC
Viruses are unique. They have been classified as both living and nonliving at various points in the history of biology.
... Read More
When in Trouble, Young Ants Play Dead
Thursday April 10, 2008
When under attack, young fire ant workers play dead as a defense mechanism.
Researchers made this discovery while studying the fire ant species Solenopsis invicta.
The study revealed that the age of ... Read More
Are Some Trans Fats Good For You?
Saturday April 5, 2008
Everyone knows that trans fats are bad for you, right? Researchers from the University of Alberta contend that not all trans fats are bad for you.
Unlike hydrogenated trans fat produced ... Read More
Test Your Knowledge of Biology
Friday April 4, 2008
Can you identify the following cell structure?
Nucleus
Golgi Complex
Ribosome
Mitochondrion
© Dennis Kunkel
Do you know what a group of frogs is called? Do you know the ... Read More
From Algae to Fuel
Wednesday April 2, 2008
Algae Accumulation, Kesterson National Wildlife RefugePhoto courtesy USFWS
With the rising gas prices, we are all feeling a crunch at the gas pump. Well, there is good news ... Read More