News in Brief
- 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.
- Chemistry
Network of cell mimics comes to life
3-D printed material resembles body tissue in form and perhaps function.
- Earth
Isolated coral reefs can regrow after bleaching
Having neighboring coral reefs is unnecessary for recovery.
- Physics
Quantum cryptography takes flight
Successful reading of photon beam sent from airplane may one day lead to encrypted satellite communications.
- Health & Medicine
Bird flu infects three in China
The H7N9 influenza virus has sickened three people, killing two, in first known human infections.
- Animals
Termites, not fairies, cause plant circles in African deserts
Underground insect engineers create water traps in the soil, allowing rings of green grasses in the sand.
- Life
Impending death alters crickets’ standards for mates
With a short time to live, parasite-infested females lose their preference for fast-chirping males.
- Life
Longhorn cattle ancestors came from Pakistan
New World breeds trace back to both major bovine lineages, genetic analysis shows.
- Physics
Highlights from the American Physical Society meeting
Highlights from the March meeting, held in Baltimore on March 18-22, 2013, include how fire ants need a little water to dig deep, what makes trees scream and a tiny crystal that can squeeze through an even tinier tube.
