Life

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Life

    Fido and Fluffy could unleash drug-resistant microbes

    After discovering resistant microbes in pets, scientists worry about the role of companion animals in the spread of resistant urinary infections.

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  2. Animals

    Baby birds’ brains selectively respond to dads’ songs

    The neurons of young male birds are more active when listening to songs sung by dad than by strangers, a new study finds.

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  3. Neuroscience

    Newborn brain has to learn how to feed itself

    Nerve cells in newborn mice can’t yet feed themselves.

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  4. Health & Medicine

    In malaria battle, indoor bug spraying has unintended consequence

    Years of spraying indoors may inadvertently have push malaria-spreading mosquitoes to venture outdoors for a bite.

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  5. Life

    Benign-turned-deadly bacterium baffles scientists

    Outbreak of Elizabethkingia continues to grow as disease investigators struggle to find source.

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  6. Life

    For cleanest hands, squirt and count to 30

    Rubbing hands for 30 seconds is the most effective way to use hand sanitizer, a study of health care workers finds.

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  7. Life

    For tooth decay microbes, many routes lead to kids’ mouths

    Mothers aren’t their children’s only source of bacteria that cause dental cavities, new research shows.

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  8. Animals

    Three-toed sloths are even more slothful than two-toed sloths

    The three-toed sloth Bradypus variegatus has the lowest field metabolic rate ever recorded, a new study finds.

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  9. Oceans

    Deep-sea hydrothermal vents more abundant than thought

    Ecosystem-supporting hydrothermal vents are much more abundant along the ocean floor than previously thought.

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  10. Microbes

    Tests turn up dicey bagged ice

    Tests of bagged ice found that 19 percent exceeded recommended thresholds for bacterial contamination.

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  11. Microbes

    Thaw tests turn up dicey bagged ice

    Tests of bagged ice found that 19 percent exceeded recommended thresholds for bacterial contamination.

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  12. Animals

    That ‘Dory’ for sale may have been poisoned with cyanide

    Preliminary results from a new study show that over half of aquarium fish sold in the United States may have been caught with cyanide.

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