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According to scientists, they have solved the mystery behind how growth of animals is controlled by environment factors. Scientists at McGill University said that they decided to identify a mechanism by which environment factors also known as epigenetic factors have an overarching effect in making quantitative variation in complex traits like skin color, intelligence, height and tendency to develop certain diseases among others.

Epigenetic experiments on ants were conducted by the researchers. It has been informed that ants were from the species Camponotus floridanus which is better known as the Florida carpenter ant. As per the researchers, the degree of DNA methylation of a gene included in controlling growth called EGFR has increased.

Experts have been warned a lot many times that global warming has changed the Arctic significantly. There is a high possibility that scientists will declare that this winter, sea ice cover in the Arctic has built up to a record low level.

For the past many years, sea ice cover of the Arctic is declining rapidly. Generally, the sea ice's maximum level forms in March. But since the start of this month, scientists have been observing a decline in sea ice and rise in ocean temperatures.

Beekeepers in Florida said that they need state funding and some help to maintain healthy population of honey bees. As per the Florida State Beekeepers Association, it needs $3.5 million for an apiary research center at the University of Florida.

According to the state's beekeepers, honey bees play an important role in agriculture and the economy. The state is the third largest honey-producing state in the United States. Florida reported crop value of $22.7 million in 2013.

About a decade ago, Florida had just 1,200 beekeepers, but now, the state in the southeastern region of the United States has approximately 3,500 beekeepers. The state's 400,000 honey-producing bee colonies face several kinds of threats including parasite called varroa mites.

Earlier, some environmental scientists in Florida said that their supervisors ordered them not to use terms 'climate change' and 'global warming' in their work. According to Florida governor Rick Scott, his administration did not ban environmental scientists from using the terms.

Now, an environmental group have requested for a state investigation to know more about the ban. On Tuesday, members of the group Forecast the Facts filed complaint with the Department of Environmental Protection's inspector-general. They urged the department to find the truth about the report.

Doctors have permitted a Utah toddler to leave hospital after she was rescued from a car 14 hours after it crashed into a frigid river. The permission for the release was granted on Wednesday, days after the accident that claimed the life of her mother.

"I came in, I put my finger in her hand, and I told her 'dad is here' and I loved her. She squeezed my hand and then a few hours later she tried to open her eyes. I haven't left her bedside since", said the girl's father Deven Trafny, 34.

At about 4pm, 18-month-old Lily Groesbeck was released from Lily Groesbeck, said spokeswoman Bonnie Midget. The girl is doing fine now apart from a few bruises. She is facing no trouble and is able to play and talk. She was reciting nursery rhymes, said Trafny.

Acting Ferguson police chief Lt. Col. Al Eickhoff said bullet injuries have been caused to two St. Louis County Police officers after they were shot outside the Ferguson Police Department early Thursday. The two police officers were immediately taken to hospital in ambulances, said Bob Hoehn, a KSDK-TV photographer.

One was admitted into Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center and the teaching hospital for Washington University School of Medicine. Treatment was provided to the other officer on the crime scene itself.

While giving update about the health condition of the two officers during a press conference around 2 am, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said one officer was shot in the shoulder, and the other in the face.