Laura Sivitz

All Stories by Laura Sivitz

  1. First Plant Genome Thrills Biologists

    The unveiling of the genetic blueprint of the tiny thale cress ushers in a new era in plant biology.

  2. Earth

    Chalk reveals greatest underwater landslide

    Seismic waves generated by an extraterrestrial object crashing into Mexico 65 million years ago appear to have sent sediment from shallow waters sliding off the continental shelf.

  3. Animals

    First mammal joins the eusocial club

    Because naked mole rats exhibit permanent physical traits that distinguish certain castes of a colony, they belong to the same grouping as so-called eusocial insects such as bees, ants, wasps, and termites.

  4. Tech

    When the Chips are Down

    Scientists seek alternatives to a computer technology nearing its limits.

  5. Animals

    Time to revise right whales’ family tree?

    A statistical analysis of DNA from nearly 400 right whales around the world suggests there may be three species of Eubalena, not just two—a conclusion that may boost conservation efforts.

  6. Health & Medicine

    Gene therapy might keep arteries open

    Tiny steel-mesh tubes coated with a DNA-containing polymer could prevent arteries from becoming reclogged after cardiovascular treatment.

  7. Health & Medicine

    New test may spot colon cancer early

    An experimental test for colon cancer may detect the disease at a treatable stage more accurately than current, noninvasive screening techniques.

  8. Two aspects of sleep share a master

    A molecular connection between the timing of sleep—a part of circadian rhythms—and how long animals slumber each day is demonstrated for the first time.

  9. It’s a boy! It’s a girl! It’s a mosaic embryo

    Using a new technique to examine chromosomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos at the time they're implanted in the womb, researchers report abnormalities never seen later in development, possibly explaining why IVF has a low efficiency.

  10. Tech

    Software enhances view of aircraft flaws

    New software can run an ultrasonic machine that will map corrosion beneath the surface of an airplane more quickly, safely, and effectively than can existing devices.

  11. Health & Medicine

    Drug spares eggs from early death

    A newly discovered drug that prevents radiation from hastening egg cell death in mice might also prevent some human cancer patients from suffering sterility and premature menopause.

  12. Computing

    Virtual stampede sees faces in crowd

    A new computer model based on particle interactions suggests ways to prevent a panicked crowd from stampeding.