Life

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Animals

    New chameleon has strange snout, odd distribution

    A new species of chameleon from Tanzania echoes the unusual range of the kipunji monkey.

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  2. Climate

    Earlier blooming intensifies spring heat waves in Europe

    The early arrival of spring plants due to climate change amplifies springtime heat waves in Europe, new climate simulations suggest.

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  3. Animals

    Mite-virus alliance could be bringing down honeybees

    Parasitic mites and a virus have a mutually beneficial alliance while attacking honeybees.

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  4. Animals

    Parasites help brine shrimp survive toxic waters

    When brine shrimp are infected with tapeworms, the tiny aquatic organisms survive better in warm waters and in those laced with toxic arsenic.

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  5. Animals

    Eat your stinkbugs

    Prepared as a snack by some groups in southern Africa, the stinkbug Encosternum delegorguei is a good source of protein and antioxidants.

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  6. Paleontology

    Free virtual fossils for everyone

    MorphoSource.org archives 3-D images of bones from over 200 genera of both living and extinct animals.

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  7. Health & Medicine

    Mind’s healing powers put to the test in new book

    Cure: A Journey Into the Science of Mind Over Body investigates the brain’s role in keeping people healthy.

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  8. Animals

    These beetles use surface tension to water-ski

    Waterlily beetles are in for a fast and bumpy ride as they fly across ponds, researchers find.

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  9. Paleontology

    Lizards locked in amber provide clues to reptile evolution

    Amber-encased lizard remains that date to 99 million years ago may shed light on the evolution of geckos and chameleons.

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  10. Animals

    Is Amy Tan actually ‘thrilled’ a leech is named after her?

    Novelist Amy Tan answers a lingering question about celebrities honored in scientific names of new species — her namesake is a leech.

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  11. Genetics

    Missing genes not always a problem for people

    Humans have ways to make up for missing genes, study suggests.

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  12. Animals

    How killing wolves to protect livestock may backfire

    Lone wolves are more likely to prey on goats and other livestock than are wolves living in packs, a new study finds.

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