Life

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Genetics

    Atacama mummy’s deformities were unduly sensationalized

    A malformed human mummy known as Ata has been sensationalized as alien. A DNA analysis helps overturn that misconception.

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  2. Environment

    How bees defend against some controversial insecticides

    Some bees have enzymes that allow them to resist toxic compounds in some neonicotinoid pesticides.

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  3. Life

    Earwigs take origami to extremes to fold their wings

    Stretchy joints let earwig wings flip quickly between folded and unfurled.

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  4. Science & Society

    Why it’s great to have a geologist in the house

    Editor in Chief Nancy Shute enthuses about learning how ancient plans may have helped make Earth muddy.

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  5. Animals

    How oral vaccines could save Ethiopian wolves from extinction

    A mass oral vaccination program in Ethiopian wolves could pave the way for other endangered species and help humans, too.

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  6. Life

    Meet the giants among viruses

    For decades, all viruses were thought to be small and simple. But the discovery of more and more giant viruses shows that’s not the case.

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  7. Life

    Inked mice hint at how tattoos persist in people

    Tattoos in mice may persist due to an immune response, challenging currently held beliefs about how the skin retains tattoos.

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  8. Plants

    Liverwort reproductive organ inspires pipette design

    A new pipette is inspired by a plant’s female reproductive structure.

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  9. Neuroscience

    Brain waves may focus attention and keep information flowing

    Not just by-products of busy nerve cells, brain waves may be key to how the brain operates.

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  10. Animals

    Dino-bird had wings made for flapping, not just gliding

    Archaeopteryx fossils suggest the dino-birds were capable of flapping their wings in flight.

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  11. Neuroscience

    How biology breaks the ‘cerebral mystique’

    The Biological Mind rejects the idea of the brain as the lone organ that makes us who we are. Our body and environment also factor in, Alan Jasanoff says.

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  12. Neuroscience

    Depression among new mothers is finally getting some attention

    Scientists search new mothers’ minds for clues to postpartum depression.

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