Life
- Genetics
Genetic variants may keep Siberians warm
People in frigid cold evolved changes in fat metabolism, shivering.
- Genetics
Reprogrammed stem cells may mirror embryonic ones after all
Donor genetics may explain why the two cell types vary.
- Animals
The bromance of the fossas
Male fossas, mammal carnivores native to Madagascar, hang out with other males to boost their hunting and mating success.
- Animals
Don’t mount so fast! That bug could be a boy
Many insect males show same-sex mating behavior. What’s the cause? What’s the benefit? Is it real? Or are the bugs just in too much of a rush to stop?
- Health & Medicine
Gene links smoking, multiple sclerosis
Smokers with genetic variant face tripled risk of MS.
- Life
Scorpion venom kills pain in mice
Toxin works with nerve proteins to block distress signals’ journey to brain.
- Humans
What makes a face go round
Genetic enhancers acting far away from their intended genes can help shape a face during development.
- Health & Medicine
Inactive HIV poses even greater barrier to cure
The reservoir of dormant virus strains is larger than scientists estimated, a finding that could make the virus harder to combat.
- Animals
Maybe Britain shouldn’t kill its badgers
A study on badger social networks shows that isolated badgers are the ones that most often carry TB and cause infections among — but not within — groups.
- Animals
Common pesticides change odds in ant fights
Species’ combat success can rise or fall after repeated exposure to a common neonicotinoid insecticide.
- Paleontology
An ammonite adventure on the Jurassic Coast
This region is special because fossils are easy to find. They wash out of the cliffs and onto the beach where they are free for anyone to collect, as long as you follow the rules.
- Life
The reason to avoid poop coffee isn’t what you think
Beans from civet feces have become so popular that abuse and fraud are common.
