Life

  1. Animals

    Algal toxin impairs sea lion memory

    California sea lions that have brain damage linked to domoic acid poisoning have impaired spatial memory, a new study finds.

    By Sarah Zielinski
  2. Life

    In the body, cells move like flocks of birds or schools of fish

    Cells move in groups similarly to flocks of birds and schools of fish

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  3. Neuroscience

    Mini microscope is a window into live muscle tissue

    A tiny microscope offers unprecedented views of live human muscles.

    By Laura Sanders
  4. Life

    Cancer cells get help migrating through the body

    Helper cells may give cancer a straight shot to spread through the body.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  5. Life

    Muscle repair gets spooky help

    Ghost fibers are tunnels that stem cells can use to rebuild muscles fiber by fiber.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  6. Genetics

    Year in review: Breakthrough gene editor sparks ethics debate

    The gene editing system CRISPR has opened the door to new scientific advancements — and ethical concerns.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  7. Health & Medicine

    Year in review: Not all bodies act their age

    People grow old at different rates, but the underlying drivers of aging may be the same: molecular havoc wreaked inside of cells, scientists suggested in 2015.

    By Meghan Rosen
  8. Life

    Year in review: Microbe discoveries spur rethink of treetop of life

    Microbes discovered in Arctic mud this year could be the closest relatives yet found to the single-celled ancestor that made life so complicated.

    By Susan Milius
  9. Genetics

    Year in review: Epigenome makes its debut

    The Roadmap Epigenomics Project, unveiled in February 2015, is the first in a series of 3-D looks at the human genome.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  10. Neuroscience

    Year in review: Alzheimer’s protein behaves like a prion

    Under rare conditions, an Alzheimer’s-related protein may have jumped between people, scientists reported this year.

    By Laura Sanders
  11. Genetics

    Year in review: Cancer genetics grows up

    Researchers looking for mutations linked to cancer have found that not all genetic alterations should be targeted equally.

    By Rachel Ehrenberg
  12. Animals

    Year in review: Woes of artificial lighting add up for wildlife

    Studies published this year add dodging death, flirting and mothering to the tasks that artificial light can discombobulate in wild animals.

    By Susan Milius