Burning Plants Tell Seeds When to Germinate
May 6, 2013
Forest fire ash is not all useless. It contains signaling molecules that can switch on the next generation of plants.
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Bug-Eye Camera, Fly Robot and other Bio-Inspired Tech
May 4, 2013
Incredible advancements in technology are coming from the imitation of nature, but engineers cannot yet attain animal performance.
How Intricate Patterns Grow in Flowers, Feathers
May 1, 2013
How does a growing flower bud or feather follicle know where to put the intricate colors and patterns on a mature flower or feather? Scientists are beginning to get partial answers.
Biomimetics Roundup
April 20, 2013
Here's a quick rundown of news on new technologies emerging from the study of plants, animals, and cells.
What's New in the Primordial Soup?
April 19, 2013
The bubbling froth percolates with ideas about how life "emerged," each new notion trying to outdo the last in vacuity.
Wood You Cellulose for Starch?
April 17, 2013
Cellulose is the most abundant biomolecule, but how it's made still baffles scientists. Soon, though, you may be able to eat it.
Human and Animal Brains: Uniquenesses and Similarities
April 12, 2013
Several recent science articles explore what we have in common with animals, and what is unique about the human brain.
OOLishness: The Imaginary World of Origin-of-Life Studies
March 20, 2013
Why aren't philosophers of science shaming origin-of-life researchers out of the science department? OOL theories depend on imagination, not empirical evidence, for their broad-brush conclusions.
This "Evolution" Is Not Darwinian
February 23, 2013
Some things in nature get attributed to Darwinian evolution, but might be better seen as manifestations of design or other alternative, non-Darwinian mechanisms.
What Do a Toucan, an Oyster and a Spider Have in Common? Bio-Engineers' Drool
February 17, 2013
If we want to build more robust, lightweight materials, two researchers say, look to nature.
OOL Follies: Evolutionists Ignore the Obvious Questions
February 13, 2013
In origin-of-life (OOL) research, any partial solution seems good enough, even if the big questions go unanswered.
Make Like a Firefly
January 24, 2013
Biomimetics puts a new meaning into "Make like a tree." Yes, make things like trees, snails, fireflies, and a thousand other creatures do, and life can be inspiring.
Ferrari-Like Gears Move Your Muscles
January 20, 2013
A creative science reporter compares the "gears" of molecular motors in your muscle cells to those of high-performance cars.
Skin Uses Master Control
December 26, 2012
It would be hard to see how evolution would deal with a story about skin development. Maybe that's why it was barely mentioned.
The Holly and the I.D. – News from Epigenetics
December 21, 2012
Holly leaf shape may be due to epigenetic control – one of several recent developments in the field of epigenetics.