Notebook

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.

Astronomy

Ancient spiral galaxy is 11 billion years old

The most ancient spiral galaxy seen to date is 11 billion years old and could help reveal how galaxies sprout arms.

Animals

The Lord Howe stick insect is officially back from the dead

New genomic sequencing confirms that stick insects discovered near Lord Howe Island are the assumed-extinct Lord Howe stick insect.

Animals

Here’s why some water striders have fans on their legs

A fan of tiny, elegant plumes on their legs helps certain water striders dash across flowing water without getting wet.

Animals

Leafhoppers use tiny light-absorbing balls to conceal their eggs

Leafhoppers produce microscopic balls that absorb light rather than reflect it and help camouflage the insects’ eggs.

Animals

Ants were among the world’s first farmers

50 years ago, researchers began unraveling the secrets to Attine ants’ green thumbs.

Animals

This sea slug makes its prey do half the food catching

Nudibranchs’ stolen meals blur classic predator-prey levels.

Science & Society

Trauma surgeon studies gun violence stats — and was one

Joseph Sakran is trying to help counter the U.S. epidemic of gun violence with data.