Life
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We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Genetics
Killer whales are (at least) two species
Orca genetics highlights distinctions among groups that feed on different prey.
- Genetics
Chromosome Variations
Excerpt from the July 27, 1963, issue of Science News Letter
By Science News - Neuroscience
Finding the brain’s common language
Erich Jarvis dreams of creating a talking chimpanzee. If his theories on language are right, that just might happen one day.
By Erin Wayman - Neuroscience
Memories lost and found
Drugs that help mice remember reveal role for epigenetics in recall.
By Susan Gaidos - Life
Gene therapy treats children with rare diseases
Six kids are healthy, up to three years after treatment.
- Life
Bacterial molecules may prevent inflammatory bowel disease
Common compounds produced by gut microbes quench colitis in mice.
- Life
Lab-grown liver raises hopes but draws criticism
Though human cells spontaneously group into rudimentary organs, some scientists say work is very preliminary.
By Meghan Rosen - Life
Deadly flu virus flourishes in lung cells
H7N9 influenza's clinging ability in humans and birds raises concerns about increased transmission between species.
- Animals
Hawkmoths squeak their genitals at threatening bats
Sounds of an approaching predator inspire ultrasonic rasping in insect prey.
By Susan Milius - Animals
Highlights from the Evolution 2013 meeting
Selections from the meeting include a natural fish experiment, terrapins' light displays and why a variety of eye colors persist in people, presented June 21-25 in Snowbird, Utah.
By Susan Milius - Animals
Gut microbes may put barrier between species
Wiping out gut bacteria in wasps saves crossbred offspring from death, suggesting that microbes may play a role in speciation.
By Susan Milius - Animals
Honeybees use right antennae to tell friend from foe
Asymmetry in sense of smell alters insects' behavior in lab tests.