Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Materials Science
New 3-D printed materials harness the power of bacteria
The three-dimensional materials contain live bacteria and could generate wound dressings or clean up pollutants.
- Animals
Scallops’ amazing eyes use millions of tiny, square crystals to see
Each of a scallop’s many eyes contains an intricate mirror made from millions of crystals.
- Genetics
Bats in China carry all the ingredients to make a new SARS virus
Viruses infecting bats could recombine to re-create SARS.
- Animals
Jackpot of fossilized pterosaur eggs unearthed in China
A treasure trove of pterosaur eggs and embryos gives tantalizing clues to the winged reptile’s early development.
- Animals
Studying giant tortoise flips without tipping the animals over is a delicate business
Giant tortoise shells go domed or saddlebacked, but which is better when navigating treacherous ground?
- Life
Readers debate ethics of resurrecting extinct species
Readers raised questions about using gene editing tools to bring species back from the dead.
- Neuroscience
Scientists are seeking new strategies to fight multiple sclerosis
Facing so many unknowns about multiple sclerosis, researchers explore the immune system, the neurons and the gut to fight the disease.
- Animals
Here’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.
- Health & Medicine
Testosterone may be one reason why men don’t get asthma as much as women
Adult women have higher rates of asthma than men, and testosterone’s effect on the immune system may partly explain that difference.
- Animals
Most 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.
- Oceans
In the deep ocean, these bacteria play a key role in trapping carbon
Mysterious nitrite-oxidizing bacteria capture more carbon than previously thought and may be the primary engine at the base of the deep ocean’s food web.
- Science & Society
Parents may one day be morally obligated to edit their baby’s genes
The CRISPR debate is moving from “should we or shouldn’t we?” to “do we have to?”
