News

Earth

Mangled microfossils may mark impact sites

Scientists studying sediment cores drilled in eastern Virginia say they’ve possibly identified a new clue to the locations of ancient, hidden impact craters: Just look for broken or twisted microbial fossils.

Humans

Small lab animals exempted from law

The new farm bill explicitly exempts rats, mice, and birds from coverage under the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Health & Medicine

Chemical stops allergic reaction in tests

Researchers have developed a protein that short-circuits allergic reactions in mice and in tissue cultures of human cells.

Animals

Bay leaves may make rat nests nicer

Wood rats may be fumigating their nests with bits of California bay leaves, sprigs that killed flea larvae in lab tests.