News

Life

Fecal transplants might help make koalas less picky eaters

Poop-transplant pills changed the microbial makeup of koalas’ guts. That could allow the animals to adapt when a favorite type of eucalyptus runs low.

Chemistry

Plant-based fire retardants may offer a less toxic way to tame flames

Flame retardants created from plant materials could be less harmful to the environment than traditional flame-smothering chemicals.

Neuroscience

Honeybee brain upgrades may help the insects find food

Changes in honeybee neurons may help the insects decode their fellow foragers’ waggle dances.

Earth

Ocean acidification could weaken diatoms’ glass houses

Ocean acidification may lead to smaller, lighter diatoms in seawater, which could also shrink how much carbon the tiny ocean algae can help sequester.