News
- Animals
Not-OK Coral
First big species audit finds coral extinction risks severely under-reported
By Susan Milius - Space
An early record-breaker
A remote galaxy is churning out up to 4,000 newborn stars a year, making it the star-forming champ among galaxies in the early universe.
By Ron Cowen - Health & Medicine
Repairing muscle from the cell up
Skeletal muscle stem cells can fix weakling muscles in mice and could eventually lead to treatments for muscular dystrophy.
By Tia Ghose -
- Earth
Howdy, neighbor!
About 800 million years ago, East Antarctica, now one of the coldest regions on Earth, abutted what is now Death Valley, Calif., one of the hottest.
By Sid Perkins - Chemistry
It’s DNA Jim, but not as we know it
Chemists synthesized a DNA-like molecule using unnatural versions of the “letters” that make up the genetic code.
- Paleontology
A wandering eye
New look at fossils of primitive flatfish reveals how these fish evolved eyes on one side of their head
- Planetary Science
Lunar liquid
A new analysis of moon rocks has revealed that the moon isn’t as bone dry as researchers had thought, whetting the appetite of scientists who seek a deeper understanding of how Earth’s only natural satellite arose and evolved.
By Ron Cowen - Life
Frog builds toes, then legs
A small frog appears to jump-start its skeletal development, turning on genes for building feet and toes before bothering to build its legs.
- Paleontology
Fossils, now available in color
Fossilized feathers of an early bird or dinosaur may retain evidence of pigment, offering a chance to animal colors of the Cretaceous.
- Health & Medicine
Location matters
Scientists find the role of dopamine varies from one end of a brain region to another.
By Amy Maxmen - Health & Medicine
Risk profile for diabetes
People who harbor excess amounts of the compound fetuin-A face a heightened risk of developing diabetes.
By Nathan Seppa