Notebook

Astronomy

86 stars get official names

The International Astronomical Union has released 86 newly official star names, based, in part, on historical star names from various indigenous cultures.

Genetics

50 years ago, synthetic DNA made its debut

Synthetic DNA has come a long way since it arrived on the scene half a century ago.

Health & Medicine

The man flu struggle might be real, says one researcher

A researcher reviews the evidence for gender bias among flu viruses in the BMJ’s lighthearted holiday edition.

Animals

In marine mammals’ battle of the sexes, vaginal folds can make the difference

Patricia Brennan and colleagues found certain female ocean mammals have vaginal folds that give them an advantage in mating

Animals

This ancient marsupial lion had an early version of ‘bolt-cutter’ teeth

Extinct dog-sized predator crunched with unusual slicers toward the back of its jaw.

Paleontology

This new dinosaur species was one odd duck

Weird dino swimmer had flipperlike limbs and a swanlike neck.

Animals

Studying giant tortoise flips without tipping the animals over is a delicate business

Giant tortoise shells go domed or saddlebacked, but which is better when navigating treacherous ground?

Humans

50 years ago, folate deficiency was linked to birth defects

50 years ago, scientists found that a lack of folic acid in pregnant women could cause birth defects. But now, how much is too much?

Astronomy

Here’s what really happened to Hanny’s Voorwerp

Glowing clouds of gas known as Hanny’s Voorwerp offer a way to study galaxies and black holes in the distant past.

Genetics

Bones show Dolly’s arthritis was normal for a sheep her age

Cloning didn’t cause the famous sheep to age prematurely.

Health & Medicine

Step away from the cookie dough. E. coli outbreaks traced to raw flour

Flour, though low in moisture, can sicken people with E. coli toxins if it is eaten raw.

Tech

50 years ago, artificial limbs weren’t nearly as responsive

Artificial limbs have come a long way since 1967.