News
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LifeMoonless twilight may cue mass spawning
Subtle color shifts on the nights just after the full moon might synchronize the release of gametes by corals and other marine creatures.
By Susan Milius -
LifeFleas leap from feet, not knees
After years of scratching their heads over the question of exactly how the impressive jumpers launch themselves, scientists find an answer.
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Health & MedicinePrenatal surgery may be preferable for spina bifida
Performing an operation preterm shows better results against the neural tube defect than waiting until the baby is born, but there are trade-offs, a new study shows.
By Nathan Seppa -
LifeSmall part of brain itching for a fight
A cluster of cells compels aggressive behavior in mice.
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LifeBuried microbes coax energy from rock
In experiments, microorganisms can stimulate minerals to produce hydrogen, a key fuel for growth in a thriving subterranean world.
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HumansAdaptive no more
A potential benefit in prehistoric lean times, genetic variant may increase risk of gestational diabetes today.
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Health & MedicineAllergic to cancer
Having an overactive immune system may protect against certain types of brain tumor, a study suggests.
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SpaceThe sun, captured from all the angles
NASA reveals the first 360-degree panorama of the sun, which should enable early detection of potentially damaging solar storms.
By Ron Cowen -
EarthExtinctions breed carbon chaos
Massive die-off left ecosystems vulnerable, an analysis suggests.
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AstronomySupernova to superfluid
Neutron stars, some of the densest objects in the universe, may be cooled by frictionless liquid sloshing in their cores.
By Devin Powell -
LifeRunning a cancer roadblock
A new study shows how cells escaping from a breast tumor overcome a piece of RNA that usually stops them.
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SpaceFirst stars may still shine
Simulations suggest some slow-burning remnants of the early universe may still exist.
By Ron Cowen