Life
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Cabbage circadian clocks tick even after picking
Daily cycles in vegetables help ward off hungry caterpillars.
- Life
On the trail of a new virus
Map of MERS infection finds microbe spread through hospital dialysis units.
- Animals
In dark fishing spiders, males’ postmating nap is permanent
Species prepares for two pairings but goes into a fatal coma after a single encounter.
By Susan Milius - Animals
Oysters may struggle to build shells as carbon dioxide rises
Ocean acidification could hamper larvae's growth.
By Erin Wayman - Animals
Butterflies’ tidy drinking tricks
The long tube of the insects' mouthparts is fluid friendly only at the tip.
By Susan Milius - Life
Leprosy bacterium changed little in last millennium
Genome alterations probably not responsible for decline in disease prevalence.
- Life
Primitive fish could nod but not shake its head
Ancient fossils reveal surprises about early vertebrate necks, abdominal muscles.
By Erin Wayman - Animals
In the Eye of the Tiger
Global spread of Asian tiger mosquito could fuel outbreaks of tropical disease in temperate regions.
- Life
In the real world, cheetahs rarely go all out
Famous for speed, the big cats actually rely on acceleration and maneuverability to capture prey.
By Susan Milius - Life
Nail-generating tissue also regrows fingertips
Stem cells spur return of amputated digits in mice
- Animals
Now-extinct wolf may be ancestor of modern-day dogs
No strong signs of canine ancestry among living grey wolves.
- Life
As Brood II emerges, questions remain about cicada cycles
The how and why of years lived underground are among the unsolved mysteries about the loud, obvious insects.
By Susan Milius