Category Archives: Biology

Science Daily Dual-channel biological function generator: Tool brings ... Science Daily Bioengineers who specialize in creating tools for synthetic biology have unveiled the latest version of their 'biofunction generator and bioscilloscope,' an ... and more » Read the rest here: Dual-channel biological function generator: Tool brings ... - Science Daily … Continue reading →

Subject expert writes to CBSE to get these questions reviewed and resolve the issue in the answer key, which is yet to be released A day after a couple of national eligibility-cum-entrance test (NEET) candidates pointed out an error in the biology section, city-based NEET trainer wrote to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) highlighting that three questions in the exam were ambiguous. Biology subject expert, Dr Arvind Goyal, stated that three questions in the biology section of code W paper of NEET UG 2017, confused a lot of students even when this section was the easiest. There were a total of 180 questions in the paper and each question is of four marks. If a student has marked an incorrect answer, according to the answer sheet, they will lose five marks (-1 negative, in addition to the 4). The competition is really tough and rank can drop by hundreds of places on a difference of 2-3 marks, said Goyal. Question number 18 of the biology question asked that hepatic portal vein drains blood to the liver from which body part? Four options given were heart, stomach, kidneys and intestine. Dr Goyal stated that in this question both options … Continue reading →

Cell biology: A molecular rivet for long-range force transmission Science Daily To investigate these questions, a team of interdisciplinary scientists from MBI, A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, examined the cortex in a developing organism, specifically, Caenorhabditis ... Read the rest here: Cell biology: A molecular rivet for long-range force transmission - Science Daily … Continue reading →

When it comes to duplicating DNA, evolution seems to value speed over accuracy, new research suggests. The finding challenges assumptions that perfectly accurate transcription and translation are critical to the success of biological systems. It turns out a few mistakes here and there arent critical as long as the great majority of the resulting biopolymers are correct. A new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows how nature has optimized two processes, DNA replication and protein translation, that are fundamental to life. By simultaneously analyzing the balance between speed and accuracy, Rice University researchers determined that naturally selected reaction rates optimize for speed as long as the error level is tolerable. Their technique allowed them to see that while error correction through kinetic proofreading leans toward speed, the cost of going as fast as possible could sometimes be too big. Kinetic proofreading is the biochemical process that allows enzymes, such as those responsible for protein and DNA production, to achieve better accuracy between chemically similar substrates. Sequences are compared to templates at multiple steps and are either approved or discarded, but each step requires time and energy resources and as a result various tradeoffs occur. Additional … Continue reading →

Biology professor Craig Pikaard has been elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Pikaard was one of 84 new members and 21 foreign associates that were announced May 2. He is the eighth active faculty member to be elected for the organization and the 26th in the Universitys history. The last IU faculty member inducted into the organization was Emilio Moran, a Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Rudy Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, in 2010. The National Academy of Sciences is a non-profit institution that recognizes achievement in the sciences. Its members also provide science, engineering and health policy advice to the government and other organizations. Members are chosen for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Pikaard is a plant geneticist and biochemist. He uses his work to advance research into the genetic mechanisms involved in disease and how changes in gene expression can advance disease in people. His work has also provided insight into how plants silence the expression of their genes, according to an IU press release. Craigs prodigious intellectual curiosity and pioneering research have led to major discoveries about the basic biological mechanisms of plants that, in turn, have revealed new insights into health … Continue reading →

Indiana beekeepers turn to biology to save colonies Idaho Statesman Standing feet from around 250,000 bees, Ellie Symes spoke about the nearly 4.25 million more The Bee Corp. is in the process of acquiring. The fact that she is allergic earned a casual mention. "I used to bee-keep in dresses," Symes said, adding that ... and more » Original post: Indiana beekeepers turn to biology to save colonies - Idaho Statesman … Continue reading →

PUNE: The National Eligiblity-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admissions to medical and dental colleges passed off smoothly in the city on Sunday. Nearly 50,000 students appeared for the exam from Pune and nearby areas. For most of the students, however, physics was a tough paper to crack. They also said that about four to five questions in the biology paper seemed to be out of syllabus. Chemistry, however, they said, was easy. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the NEET, which contained three papers of a total 720 marks. The exam was simultaneously held at 104 centres in 11 cities in the state, including Pune and Mumbai. Hritik Patil, one of the candidates at the S M Choksey College exam centre, said, "The biology paper carried the highest marks. As a few questions seemed out of syllabus, it is a cause of worry. These questions were worth 20 to 30 marks." Read more here: NEET physics 'tough', some biology questions stump many - Times of India … Continue reading →

NORTH BAY, Ontario and ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada, May 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Canadore College has entered a partnership that will enable qualified Canadore graduates to earn their Bachelor of Science degree at St. George's University in marine, wildlife, and conversation biology. "We are excited to offer Canadore students the chance to study biology in a unique setting, at our campus in the Caribbean," said Dr. G. Richard Olds, president of St. George's University. "Our program will equip them with the tools they need to thrive in careers in the life sciences and conservation." In order to qualify for the St. George's program, Canadore graduates must have excellent academic records and a passion for marine and wildlife conservation. They can apply after completing their first two years of undergraduate study and receiving their Environmental Technician - Protection and Compliance diplomas. Admitted students complete the last two years of their education at St. George's and earn a Bachelor of Science. Students will focus on issues related to climate change, water conservation, and sustainability. The St. George's Caribbean location will offer them ample opportunity to conduct groundbreaking fieldwork in disciplines like marine biology, terrestrial and aquatic ecology and conservation. They'll also have access to … Continue reading →

Swansea University Receives Royal Society of Biology Awards for its High Level of Achievements in Bioscience Final year student Anthony Horlock has had the pleasure of taking part in a parliamentary reception at the Houses of Parliament where he was presented with his Royal Society of Biology Top Student Award in recognition of the high level of achievement in his bioscience degree. Anthony who is studying for a BSC Biology degree, is 33 yrs old and from Llanelli. Anthony has a great success story to tell as he started his university experience on the Swansea University foundation degree programme which aims to give access to university study to those from less traditional entry backgrounds (ie not straight from A-level). Anthony has just accepted a PhD offer to start in October in the Institute of Life Science at to study mammalian egg resilience (coincidentally about the same time his daughter will be born!). During the formal ceremony Anthony was presented with a certificate and had a unique opportunity to meet and network with top bioscience employers and policymakers, academics and graduates from a range of institutions. The Royal Society of Biology is a single unified voice for biology: advising Government and … Continue reading →

Submitted 2:39 p.m. ET May 3, 2017 William Sberna passion for biology and support from a faculty mentor encouraged his to follow his research interests. His research into naturally-occurring substances which counter antibiotic-resistant superbugs has provided positive results.(Photo: Craig Bell/Bowling Green State University) HURON - Like many incoming college freshmen, Bellevue resident William Sberna was not completely decided on his career path when he started classes. As a high school student he did his research and was entering Bowling Green State University Firelands College enrolled in the radiologic technology program, but like so many other students, there were lingering doubts. What was unique for Sberna, however, was how rapidly he made a decision. It was during his first hour in a college classroom that he knew his career path. Ironically, I thought I was in the wrong classroom, said Sberna, who will earn his bachelors degree this semester. The professors name did not match my class schedule, but I was a freshman in my first class so I was a little leery about getting up and walking out. In hindsight, Im glad I didnt." Sbernas first class as a college student was biology and the professor was Ram Veerapaneni. Sberna … Continue reading →