Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Oceans
Swirls of plankton decorate the Arabian Sea
The dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans is taking over in the Arabian Sea, posing a potential threat to its ecosystem.
- Neuroscience
Scientists still haven’t solved mystery of memory
50 years have refined a basic understanding of the brain, but scientists are still exploring how memories form, change and persist.
- Animals
New chameleon has strange snout, odd distribution
A new species of chameleon from Tanzania echoes the unusual range of the kipunji monkey.
- 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.
- Animals
Mite-virus alliance could be bringing down honeybees
Parasitic mites and a virus have a mutually beneficial alliance while attacking honeybees.
- 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.
- 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.
- Paleontology
Free virtual fossils for everyone
MorphoSource.org archives 3-D images of bones from over 200 genera of both living and extinct animals.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
