Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Neuroscience
New brain map most detailed yet
By combining different types of data, researchers have drawn a new detailed map of the human brain.
- Animals
Tiny ants move a ton of soil
For the first time, scientists have quantified how much soil ants move underground.
- Genetics
Swapping analogous genes no problem among species
Many genes are interchangeable between yeast, bacteria, plants and humans.
- Genetics
Herbicide no match for fruit flies’ gut microbes
Friendly gut bacteria team up to break down herbicide that might otherwise harm fruit flies.
- Health & Medicine
No one-fits-all healthy diet exists
Mice’s response to diet varies with their genes.
-
- Science & Society
GM mosquitoes succeed at reducing dengue, company says
GM mosquito releases in Brazil have helped cut dengue cases 91 percent in a year.
-
- Animals
For jaguars, armored prey is no obstacle
With big heads, thick teeth and strong muscles, jaguars have evolved to take on dangerous prey, often animals covered with thick armor.
- Anthropology
Two groups spread early agriculture
The Fertile Crescent was a diverse place. Multiple cultures were involved in the dawn of farming.
- Paleontology
Why the turtle got its shell
Fossil evidence suggests that turtles’ ancestors started to form precursors to today’s shells to help them dig, not to protect themselves.
- Health & Medicine
Still mysterious, aging may prove malleable
Our editor in chief discusses the science of aging.
