News tagged with defence mechanism

Vomit bird throws up a defence against predators

Babies of a bird species called the Eurasian roller vomit a foul-smelling orange liquid as a defence mechanism against predators, biologists have discovered.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Mar 07, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Toxins from diseased brain cells make diseases of the brain even worse

Sometimes our immune defence attacks our own cells. When this happens in the brain we see neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. But if the the immune defence is inhibited, the results ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Feb 22, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

'First step' to perfect drug combinations

The researchers found a way of identifying ideal drug combinations from billions of others which would prevent inflammation from occurring.

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Oct 23, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Study presents new insight into plant immunity

Researchers have identified an important cog in the molecular machinery of plant immunity - a discovery that could help crop breeders produce disease-resistant varieties to help ensure future food security. There may also ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Oct 02, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Plants choose ammunition carefully

Plants are anything but as defenceless as they might seem. Various plant hormones work together to specifically fend off attacks. Dutch researcher Antonio Leon-Reyes has now shown how these hormones cooperate. By 'consulting' ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Sep 03, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1

Breakthrough in the treatment of bacterial meningitis

It can take just hours after the symptoms appear for someone to die from bacterial meningitis. Now, after years of research, experts at The University of Nottingham have finally discovered how the deadly meningococcal bacteria ...

Medicine & Health / Medical research

created May 13, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (8) | comments 0