Life
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Life
Microbes flourish at deepest ocean site
At the bottom of the Mariana Trench, eleven kilometers down, bacteria prosper despite crushing pressure and isolation.
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Life
Shorter-winged swallows evolve around highways
In survey along Nebraska roads, number of birds killed by cars has plummeted over 30 years.
By Meghan Rosen -
Life
Bedbugs raise genetic defense against pesticides
Bedbugs turn on several genes, in both their shells and their nerve cells, to stave off effects of insecticides.
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Life
New virus uses protein handle to infect cells
Deadly coronavirus related to SARS attaches to protein on cells unlike the one SARS uses.
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Life
Tasmanian devil disease reveals its secrets
The contagious cancer evades the animal’s immune system by turning off key genes.
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Neuroscience
Heavy drinkers get extra brain fuel from alcohol
Compared with the brains of light drinkers, the brains of heavy alcohol drinkers burn acetate better.
By Meghan Rosen -
Chemistry
Caffeine’s buzz attracts bees to flowers
Nectar of some blooms carries the drug, which improves bee memory.
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Life
Alga borrows genes to beat the heat, acid and toxic metals
Such genetic theft from bacteria and archaea is unusual among eukaryotes.
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Life
The Lady and Her Monsters
A Tale of Dissections, Real-Life Dr. Frankensteins, and the Creation of Mary Shelley's Masterpiece by Roseanne Montillo.
By Kate Travis -
Life
Mice get brain boost from transplanted human tissue
An experimental transplant of what have long been considered just support cells shows they may play a role in memory and learning.
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Chemistry
Missing link in taste chain identified
Taste-cell protein sends message to brain that tongue has detected sweet, bitter or umami flavor.
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Life
Camel ancestors lived in the Arctic
Fossils on Ellesmere Island suggest famous desert dweller got its start in cold regions.
By Erin Wayman