Life
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
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AnimalsThis deep-sea fish uses weird eyes to see in dark and light
The eyes of deep-sea fish called pearlsides contain cells that look like rods but act like cones.
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AnimalsCrested pigeons sound the alarm with their wings
Crested pigeons have specialized feathers that signal danger when they flee from an apparent threat.
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AnimalsHoneybees fumble their way to blueberry pollination
Blueberry flowers drive honeybees to grappling, even stomping a leg or two down a bloom throat, to reach pollen.
By Susan Milius -
NeuroscienceSee these first-of-a-kind views of living human nerve cells
A catalog of live brain cells reveals stunning diversity and intricate shapes, and may help scientists understand the abilities of the human brain.
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AnimalsEPA OKs first living pest-control mosquito for use in United States
Feds approve non-GM male tiger mosquitoes for sale as fake dads to suppress local pests.
By Susan Milius -
GeneticsScientists replaced 80 percent of a ‘butterfly’ boy’s skin
By correcting genes in stem cells and growing new skin in the lab, a new therapy repaired a genetic skin disease.
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Health & MedicineHuman study supports theory on why dengue can be worse the next time around
The amount of dengue antibodies leftover in the blood may up the chances of a severe second dengue infection, a study finds.
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AnimalsFace it: Sheep are just like us when it comes to recognizing people
Sheep trained to recognize celebrity faces demonstrate that the animals have face-recognition capabilities similar to humans and other primates.
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NeuroscienceAlzheimer’s protein can travel from blood to build up in the brain
Experiments in mice show Alzheimer’s protein can travel from the blood of an affected mouse to the brain of a healthy animal.
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EcosystemsInvasive species are a growing global threat
'The Aliens Among Us' describes how invasive species are colonizing — and disrupting — ecosystems worldwide.
By Sid Perkins -
AnimalsHere’s why some water striders have fans on their legs
A fan of tiny, elegant plumes on their legs helps certain water striders dash across flowing water without getting wet.
By Susan Milius -
AnimalsAlligators eat sharks — and a whole lot more
Alligators aren’t just freshwater creatures. They swim to salty waters and back, munching on plenty of foods along the way.