Science Ticker

A roundup of research and breaking news

  1. Neuroscience

    Dogs’ brains may process speech similar to humans’

    When it comes to interpreting human speech, dogs may have brain-hemisphere biases similar to people’s.

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  2. Genetics

    Orchid genome may save highly endangered species

    The sequenced genome of the orchid Phalaenopsis equestris offers some hints about a different form of photosynthesis and how the flowers of the plant got their specialized shape.

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  3. Humans

    Breakfast in the classroom boosts school attendance

    Schools that serve breakfast in the classroom have slightly better attendance than schools that only offer the meal in the cafeteria.

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  4. Genetics

    Genes linked to feather development predate dinosaurs

    The genes for feather development may have existed more than 100 million years before dinosaurs sported hints of the fluffy plumage.

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  5. Animals

    Virus implicated in sea star die-off

    Sea stars on the west coast have been wasting away into puddles of slime. Now, scientists think they have pinpointed the virus that is causing the mass die-off of the dazzling marine creatures.

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  6. Particle Physics

    Two new particles found at Large Hadron Collider

    Physicists with the Large Hadron Collider beauty experiment have identified two new particles called Xi_b'- and Xi_b*-.

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  7. Planetary Science

    Philae lander sent in a surprise before going to sleep

    The robotic probe that landed on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has beamed back some surprises about the icy boulder.

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  8. Astronomy

    Good night, Philae

    The Philae lander has depleted its batteries and gone into idle mode, probably drawing to a close the surface-based study of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

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  9. Life

    Semen seems to counteract microbicides that kill HIV

    Semen seems to inhibit most microbicides from killing HIV, but one that targets a receptor on cells remains effective, suggesting a promising approach against HIV.

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  10. Animals

    Giant otters hum, scream, say ‘hah’ and more

    Often overlooked as vocalists, giant otters make 22 different calls as adults and 11 kinds of baby babble.

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  11. Planetary Science

    Philae lander touches down on comet 67P

    Rosetta’s lander Philae has reached the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and is starting to do science.

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  12. Astronomy

    Philae lander is in free fall toward comet 67P

    The Rosetta spacecraft has nudged its lander Philae off its back toward the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

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