Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Mosquito sperm may sense smells
Mosquitoes’ sperm may have chemical sensors that detect odors similar to the way the insect’s antennae sort smells.
- Paleontology
Rivers of rock and gas froze ancient animals in time
Ancient Chinese fossil beds were preserved by high-speed rivers of volcanic rock and gas.
- Humans
DNA suggests humans moved back into Africa
About 3,000 years ago, human populations from western Eurasia migrated back into eastern Africa, specifically Ethiopia.
- Genetics
Bacteria can be genetically tricked into self-destructing
Manipulating microbes’ defenses could lead to targeted antibiotics.
- Animals
Cane toads can handle the cool
The invasive amphibians may be able to spread farther across Australia than previously thought.
- Animals
Fungi threaten sea turtle nests
The pathogens can kill up to 90 percent of eggs in a single nest.
- Genetics
Monkeys born with edited genes
A DNA-snipping technique inspired by bacteria shows therapeutic promise.
- Neuroscience
Football helmet redesign can reduce concussion risk
No helmet will ever eliminate the risk of sustaining a concussions during a football game. But tweaking the design may slow the speed of head movements after a hit and reduce the risk of brain trauma.
- Animals
Disco clams put on a streak show
Scuba divers call Ctenoides ales the disco or electric clam because the restless, curling lips of its mantle flash bright streaks.
- Animals
Synchronous birth
For young banded mongoose moms, there’s only one choice for when to give birth — the same day as older, dominant mothers. In communities of these cat-sized animals, all females give birth together, no matter when they became pregnant.
- Animals
When snakes fly
A gliding snake gets some lift by spreading its ribs, but much about its flight remains a mystery.
- Health & Medicine
Tumors grow faster in cancer-prone mice given vitamins
The tumors killed the mice twice as fast as early-stage lung lesions in mice not given the antioxidants, researchers report.
