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Scientists unravel the genetic secrets of nature’s master of mimicry

Scientists investigating how one of the greatest shape shifters in the natural world is able to trick predators to avoid being eaten have identified the gene behind the fascinating feat.

The African Swallowtail butterfly, also known as the ‘Mocker Swallowtail’ or the ‘Flying Handkerchief,’ can appear to change both colour and shape.

Males of the species fly boldly around the tree tops, their rapid flight making them look like shaking handkerchiefs, however females lurk in the bushes and pretend to be examples of Monarch butterflies that are nasty to eat. (more…)

A virus reveals the physics of nanopores

Nanopores could provide a new way to sequence DNA quickly, but the physics involved isn’t well understood. That’s partly because of the complexities involved in studying the random, squiggly form DNA takes in solution. Researchers from Brown have simplified matters by using a stiff, rod-like virus instead of DNA to experiment with nanopores. Their research has uncovered previously unknown dynamics in polymer-nanopore interactions.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Nanopores may one day lead a revolution in DNA sequencing. By sliding DNA molecules one at a time through tiny holes in a thin membrane, it may be possible to decode long stretches of DNA at lightning speeds. Scientists, however, haven’t quite figured out the physics of how polymer strands like DNA interact with nanopores. Now, with the help of a particular type of virus, researchers from Brown University have shed new light on this nanoscale physics. (more…)

Ocean on Saturn Moon Could be as Salty as the Dead Sea

Scientists analyzing data from NASA’s Cassini mission have firm evidence the ocean inside Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, might be as salty as Earth’s Dead Sea.

The new results come from a study of gravity and topography data collected during Cassini’s repeated flybys of Titan during the past 10 years. Using the Cassini data, researchers presented a model structure for Titan, resulting in an improved understanding of the structure of the moon’s outer ice shell. The findings are published in this week’s edition of the journal Icarus. (more…)

For the next generation: Democracy ensures we don’t take it all with us

Given the chance to vote, people will leave behind a legacy of resources that ensures the survival of the next generation, a series of experiments by Yale and Harvard psychologists show. However, when people are left to their own devices, the next generation isn’t so lucky. (more…)

Maue Maut-Pläne

WWF kritisiert Maut-Pläne der Bundesregierung. / Verbändekonzept fordert „radikale Wende“ bei Verkehrspolitik.

WWF-Verkehrsexperte Johannes Erhard lehnt die heute von Minister Dobrindt vorgestellten Maut-Pläne der Bundesregierung als „unökologisch, nicht zielführend und nicht europarechtskonform“ ab. Insgesamt seine die Maut-Pläne kein geeignetes Instrument für eine moderne, in die Zukunft gerichtete Verkehrs- und Infrastrukturpolitik, so der WWF-Experte. (more…)

Ein Leben im Bambusrohr

Wissenschaftler des Senckenberg Forschungsinstituts in Frankfurt haben in einer Langzeitstudie die Ökologie in Bambus lebender Bohrfliegen untersucht. Sie entdeckten dabei erstaunliche Details zur Lebensweise der Tiere und konnten widerlegen, dass der Bambus durch die Bohrfliegen schwer geschädigt wird. Die Studie ist im Jahrbuch der „Entomological Society of America“ erschienen.

Bambus ist eine der am schnellsten wachsenden Pflanzen der Welt. Besonders in Asien ist er – nicht zuletzt wegen dieser Eigenschaft – ein beliebter Rohstoff. Doch nicht nur Menschen nutzen die stabilen Halme des Riesengrases: Er bietet auch Lebensraum für eine vielfältige Insektenfauna. (more…)

‘Life as Research Scientist’: Anna Troupe, Creative Designer and Social Thinker

Anna Marie Troupe was born in Mississippi in 1977 and grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. The fifth daughter of a mechanical engineer and an administrative assistant, Anna made a point of pushing the boundaries of her creativity. She studied furniture design at Savannah College of Art and Design and had the honor of exhibiting a chair at the Salone del Mobila in Milan, Italy. Her work was also published in a book called, “Creative Solutions for Unusual Projects.”
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If global warming is real, why was it so cold and snowy last winter?

ANN ARBOR — More Americans view global warming by what they see outside their windows and not scientific evidence, according to a University of Michigan survey. (more…)