News in Brief
- Microbes
Some like it acidic
In a higher-carbon world of altered oceans, a shelled plankton species may flourish.
- Life
Coelacanth is not closest fishy relative of terrestrial animals
Genes of “living fossil” do reveal changes needed to live on dry land.
- Health & Medicine
Colic in infancy linked to migraines later in childhood
No tie found between colicky babies and later tension headaches.
- Life
New bird flu claims more victims
H7N9 influenza spreads to Beijing, may come from poultry and pigeons.
- Anthropology
American Association of Physical Anthropologists meeting
Perhaps the oldest swatch of hominid skin yet found and –tzi the iceman’s Neandertal genetics are among the highlights from the physical anthropology meeting.
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- Physics
Questions raised about lithium-ion cell’s claim to fame
For lithium-ion batteries, a user’s charging habits may affect estimates of remaining charge after all.
- Climate
Cuts in some greenhouse gases could slow sea level rise
Methane, ozone and other short-lived pollutants have a big impact on ocean heights, simulation finds.
- Humans
Possible human ancestor in Australopithecus sediba
The hominid’s unusual build may place it in into humankind’s lineage.
- Chemistry
Malaria drug made by baker’s yeast
Fermentation process using bioengineered version of the fungus could become important new production method for artemisinin.
- Health & Medicine
2013 American Association for Cancer Research meeting
Highlights from the annual AACR meeting include ovulation’s impact on cancer risk and an experimental drug’s promising performance against leukemia.
- Climate
Rising carbon dioxide means more air turbulence
More jarring flights are likely, simulation suggests.
