News
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Original Kin: Six-legged bugs may have evolved twice
Insects may have evolved independently from other six-legged land bugs and may be more closely related to crustaceans than to their fellow so-called hexapods.
- Astronomy
Cosmic Afterglow: Gamma-ray bursts may one-up themselves
New observations suggest that gamma-ray bursts may be even more energetic than scientists had estimated.
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Genetically Driven: Mutation shows up in binge eaters
Overweight binge eaters are more likely to harbor a genetic mutation that disrupts brain signals governing satiety than are people of normal weight.
- Physics
Muon Manna? Particle shower may spotlight loose nukes
Radiation from space may help border guards spot loose nukes stowed in shipping containers.
- Paleontology
Was T. rex just a big freeloader?
A new study suggests that an ecosystem like today’s African savanna could provide sufficient carrion to nourish a scavenger the size of a Tyrannosaurus rex.
- Animals
Ants lurk for bees, but bees see ambush
A tropical ant has perfected the un-antlike behavior of hunting by ambush, but its prey, a sweat bee, has developed some tricks of its own.
- Physics
Squirming through space-time
In the exotic realm of curved space, the topography of space itself might provide a propulsion assist—albeit a tiny one.
- Earth
More Arctic clouds may lessen warming
Nearly 2 decades of satellite observations suggest that an increase in Arctic cloudiness at certain times of the year may partially counteract the effects of global warming in the region.
- Health & Medicine
Plot thickens for blood pressure drugs
A new study counters a recent report that diuretics taken for high blood pressure protect against heart problems better than newer, more expensive drugs.
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Discovery of bitter-taste gene is sweet
Scientists have found that variations in a gene explain why people differ in their ability to taste bitterness.
- Physics
In orbit, water makes the stretch
An astronaut-at-play stumbled upon an unexpected behavior of water in near-zero gravity: The formation of durable films—some as wide as saucers—that would instantly break here on Earth.
- Earth
Fallen Trees? Scotch pines emit nitrogen oxides into the air
Northern pine forests may exude nitrogen oxides—a contributor to smog and acid rain—in quantities that rival those produced by industry and traffic worldwide.
