Science News / Biology

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In This Issue

It’s written all over your face: To potential mates, your mug may reveal more than you think
Team spirit: Working together, bacteria and other microbes can accomplish much more than they can alone. Now scientists hope to harness that ability by engineering their own microbial consortia.
For a big view of inner Earth, catch a few…Geoneutrinos
This week's table of contents

:: Biology

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Sirtuin shown to control gene activity

A previously overlooked protein called SIRT6 provides some molecular clues to aging.
Found in: Biology, Biomedicine, Body & Brain and Genes & Cells
Early C-sections pose risks

Babies delivered by elective cesarean section just a week or two before 39 weeks of gestation face increased risk of respiratory and other complications.
Found in: Biology and Body & Brain
Record low for human blood oxygen levels

Study of Mt. Everest climbers shows some bodies can tolerate low oxygen levels that are toxic to others.
Found in: Biology and Body & Brain
Rock-climbing fish caught in evolution tug-of-war

Tall is good for dodging danger, but short is better for climbing waterfalls.
Found in: Biology and Life
Candy cane strategy sweetens life for goldenrods

Goldenrods temporarily duck their heads during pest season
Found in: Agriculture, Biology, Botany, Ecology and Life
New embryonic stem cells ratted out

Overcoming obstacles, scientists have created stable embryonic stem cells from rats. Researchers hope their method will prove useful as a general recipe for isolating stem cells from other mammals.
Found in: Biology, Body & Brain and Genes & Cells
Hot clock key to fruit fly’s global spread

A temperature-sensitive switch in a fruit fly’s biological clock means some species can survive in a wide range of climates while others are stuck on the equator.
Found in: Biology, Body & Brain and Life
Sense for morphine has gender gap

Female rats have fewer brain receptors that sense morphine, making the drug less effective. The work points to the need for more research on why medicine potency can vary among people.
Found in: Biology, Biomedicine and Body & Brain
See More In Biology

Sights and Sounds

Photography

Atom Flipping
New equations for better MRI

Blogs:

Science & the Public Big Increase Coming for NIH — Maybe
By Janet Raloff Dec 19th 2008

Columns:

Comment SESAME opens doors to international collaboration
By Herman Winick Jan 2nd 2009

Math Trek The Sudoku solution
By Julie Rehmeyer Dec 23rd 2008

Not to Miss:

2008: Science News of the Year

Thwarting tree poachers

Pulsars in a new light

Guest column from Steven Chu

SN Bookshelf:

Book Review: Food Bites: The Science of the Foods We Eat by Richard W. Hartel and AnnaKate Hartel
Review by Dina Fine Maron
Buy now | More Books

Book Review: Don’t Sleep, There Are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle by Daniel L. Everett
Review by Bruce Bower
Buy now | More Books

Planet Earth: An Illustrated History
A photographic tribute to the glories of nature, including picturesque landscapes, stunning aer...
Buy now | More Books