What's new

Biological sciences posts

Changing seasons News

by Pat, 5 April 2013 | 0 comments

Autumn leaves.

Wherever you are in the world, you may have noticed a change in the weather. Over the course of a year, there are periodic changes in things like temperature, rainfall and the amount of daylight. These changes allow us to divide the year into seasons.

Continue reading Changing seasons

Ancient body builders News

by Mike, 19 March 2013 | 0 comments

Marble head with a missing nose

Humans have been modifying their bodies for millennia. The 5000-year-old, freeze-dried remains of a man found in the Ötztal Alps of Europe was tattooed with lines. People from cultures around the world still mark their bodies with scars, stretch their lips and earlobes, or undergo painful ceremonies to adorn their bodies with symbols and markings.

Continue reading Ancient body builders

Chemical secrets of feathers News

by Pat, 15 March 2013 | 0 comments

X-ray fluorescent images of feathers.

Birds are an important part of many ecosystems. New Australian research shows that bird feathers could be used to measure just how healthy some ecosystems are.

Continue reading Chemical secrets of feathers

Shave the horn, save the rhino? News

by Pat, 8 March 2013 | 1 comments

Wild rhinoceros.

Africa’s rhinoceros populations are under threat – only 5000 black rhinos and 20 000 white rhinos are left in the wild. A major cause in their decline is illegal hunting for their famous horns, used in ornamental weapons and traditional Chinese medicine.

Continue reading Shave the horn, save the rhino?

Electric buzz News

by Pat, 1 March 2013 | 0 comments

Honey bee on a flower.

Flowers have adaptations such as vivid colours and strong scents to attract bees. According to recent research, they might also have a more electric way of bringing all the bees to the yard.

Continue reading Electric buzz

Royal grave – no parking News

by Pat, 8 February 2013 | 0 comments

Skeleton of King RIchard III showing his curved spine.

The graves of kings and emperors: pyramids in Egypt, terracotta armies in China and … a car park in England? A team from the University of Leicester announced they discovered the remains of King Richard III under a council car park.

Continue reading Royal grave – no parking

Categories:

Detecting doping News

by Pat, 1 February 2013 | 0 comments

An EPO molecule.

Recent interviews with cyclist Lance Armstrong made headlines around the world. He admitted to the use of performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France. Scientists have overcome many hurdles to develop the drug testing that underpins this revelation.

Continue reading Detecting doping

Categories:

Fibonacci fruit Activity

by Mike, 16 January 2013 | 2 comments

Having trouble finding a four-leafed clover? This activity explains why! If you’re getting ready for some gardening, keep this activity in the back of your mind as you marvel at Mother Nature’s mathematics.

Continue reading Fibonacci fruit

Termites’ golden moments News

by Pat, 4 January 2013 | 0 comments

Termite mound in the bush.

How would you find out where to strike gold? Turns out termites might have the answer.

Continue reading Termites’ golden moments

Mopping up with food scraps News

by Pat, 14 December 2012 | 0 comments

Do you have left over fruit and vegetable scraps? One day you might be able to use them to clean up the environment!

Continue reading Mopping up with food scraps