Animals
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AnimalsHere’s yet more evidence that the mythical yeti was probably a bear
A more complete genetic analysis amps up the evidence that the legendary creatures known as yetis are actually bears.
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AnimalsMost blue whales are ‘righties,’ except for this one move
Though many blue whales tend to be “right-handed” when hunting for krill, one specific barrel roll move requires a lefty twist.
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AnimalsRough lessons can lessen the pull of human scent on a mosquito
A form of aversion therapy for mosquitoes shows they can connect human scent to a bad experience.
By Susan Milius -
GeneticsBones show Dolly’s arthritis was normal for a sheep her age
Cloning didn’t cause the famous sheep to age prematurely.
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AnimalsSeeds coated in a common pesticide might affect birds’ migration
Eating small amounts of a neonicotinoid pesticide can disorient white-crowned sparrows.
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PlantsThe dietary habits of the emerald ash borer beetle are complicated
Tests answer some questions about the emerald ash borer’s hidden taste for olive and fringe trees.
By Susan Milius -
AnimalsEven a tiny oil spill spells bad news for birds
Just a small amount of crude can make birds less active.
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AnimalsThe key to breaking down plastic may be in caterpillars’ guts
Caterpillars that feast on plastic have different gut microbes than those that eat a grain-based diet.
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AnimalsFluorescence could help diagnose sick corals
Diseased corals fluoresce less than healthy corals, and a new analysis technique can help spot the reduced glow.
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AnimalsCoconut crabs are a bird’s worst nightmare
A biologist witnesses a coconut crab taking out a blue-footed booby and documents the balance of the animals in an Indian Ocean archipelago.
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AnimalsThese spiders may have the world’s fastest body clocks
Three orb-weaving spiders may have the shortest circadian clocks yet discovered among animals.
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AnimalsThe 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.