Life

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We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Life

    So far, the great tit has coped with climate change

    Earlier arrival of birds’ food due to warming temperatures hasn’t yet reduced bird population.

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  2. Life

    Birds may have had to crouch before they could fly

    Digital reconstructions of avian ancestors show a progressive redistribution of weight toward the front of the body.

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  3. Life

    Mutation makes H5N1 flu lose its grip

    Laboratory-added genetic change makes avian influenza unable to bind to bird cells.

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  4. Life

    Why corals do calisthenics

    Pulsating motion appears to flush water to improve photosynthetic efficiency in symbiotic algae.

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  5. Paleontology

    My Beloved Brontosaurus

    On the Road with Old Bones, New Science, and Our Favorite Dinosaurs by Brian Switek.

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  6. Animals

    A Different Kind of Smart

    Animals’ cognitive shortcomings are as revealing as their genius.

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  7. Life

    Bats are 3-D cartographers

    Special cells in the mammal’s brain chart its path as it flies.

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  8. Life

    Infants, whether mice or human, love to be carried

    Being toted around calms and quiets babies of both species.

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  9. Microbes

    Some like it acidic

    In a higher-carbon world of altered oceans, a shelled plankton species may flourish.

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  10. Life

    Coelacanth is not closest fishy relative of terrestrial animals

    Genes of “living fossil” do reveal changes needed to live on dry land.

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  11. Life

    New bird flu claims more victims

    H7N9 influenza spreads to Beijing, may come from poultry and pigeons.

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  12. Life

    New flu in China reveals its avian origins

    H7N9 influenza genes came from three bird viruses.

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