Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Animals
Why some mammal species don’t have descended testicles, but most do
New research studying genetic vestiges suggests that descended testicles are as ancient as the first placental mammal.
- Neuroscience
A brain chemical tied to narcolepsy may play a role in opioid addiction
Long-term use of opioids such as heroin is linked to having more brain cells that release a chemical that regulates wakefulness and arousal.
- Genetics
Readers ponder geothermal power and more
Readers respond to stories from the May 26, 2018 issue of Science News.
- Climate
Why won’t this debate about an ancient cold snap die?
Critics are still unconvinced that a comet caused a mysterious cold snap 12,800 years ago.
- Life
Zika gets the most extreme close-up of any flavivirus
The closest look yet at Zika virus may reveal some vulnerabilities.
- Neuroscience
Watch the brain jiggle with each heartbeat
A new twist on MRI can reveal how the brain wiggles.
- Neuroscience
How domestication changed rabbits’ brains
The fear centers of the brain were altered as humans tamed rabbits.
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- Health & Medicine
New studies add evidence to a possible link between Alzheimer’s and herpesvirus
Researchers saw higher levels of herpesvirus in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, which may contribute to plaque formation.
- Anthropology
Koko the gorilla is gone, but she left a legacy
An ape that touched millions imparted some hard lessons about primate research.
- Life
Here’s how drinking coffee could protect your heart
Coffee’s heart-healthy effects rely on boosting cells’ energy production, a study in mice suggests.
- Life
It may take a village (of proteins) to turn on genes
Clusters of proteins transiently work together to turn on genes, new microscopy studies of live cells suggest.
