Science Ticker
A roundup of research and breaking news
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Climate
Tropics leave trace in Arctic warming
Cooling temperatures in the Pacific may be responsible for the recent rapid warming of northeastern Canada and Greenland.
- Paleontology
Oldest true dolphin species gets a new name
A dolphin species first described in the 1970s has gotten a new name but still retains the title of oldest true dolphin species identified to date.
- Life
New bird flu found in Antarctic penguins
Designated H11N2, the virus was found in less than 3 percent of the 301 Adélie penguins tested and the infection is asymptomatic.
- Environment
BP oil spill may have killed hundreds of thousands of birds
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill may have killed 600,000 to 800,000 coastal birds, new simulations suggest.
- Paleontology
Dinosaurs could take tough breaks
Meat-eating dinosaurs may have survived some extremely bad bone breaks, according to detailed chemical maps of the fossils.
- Climate
Federal report details climate change in U.S.
The latest National Climate Assessment was released by federal officials May 6.
- Anthropology
Peruvian glyphs pointed way to ancient celebrations
At least 2,300 years ago, Paracas people in the Chincha Valley of Peru were engineering their landscape to keep time and host ritual and social activities.
- Chemistry
Element 117 earns spot on periodic table
Atoms jam-packed with 117 protons have been produced at a particle collider in Germany, confirming the discovery of a new element.
- Health & Medicine
Musicians have elevated risk of hearing loss
Compared to the general public, professional musicians' risk of hearing loss and ringing in the ears is higher, a new study shows.
- Humans
Neandertals’ inferiority to early humans questioned
Early modern humans may not have been smarter or more technologically or socially savvy than their Neandertal neighbors.
- Health & Medicine
Potential H7N9 bird flu vaccine shows promise
An early trial of a bird flu vaccine suggests that the treatment could be used to counter the potentially deadly H7N9 flu virus.
- Environment
Prestige oil spill linked to drop in seabird chicks
European shag in colonies affected by the 2002 Prestige oil tanker spill produced fewer chicks than birds in oil-free colonies.
