Life
We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Giant squid population is one big happy species
Elusive deep ocean dwellers have low genetic diversity despite living around the globe.
- Life
Microbes flourish at deepest ocean site
At the bottom of the Mariana Trench, eleven kilometers down, bacteria prosper despite crushing pressure and isolation.
- Life
Shorter-winged swallows evolve around highways
In survey along Nebraska roads, number of birds killed by cars has plummeted over 30 years.
- 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.
- Life
New virus uses protein handle to infect cells
Deadly coronavirus related to SARS attaches to protein on cells unlike the one SARS uses.
- Life
Tasmanian devil disease reveals its secrets
The contagious cancer evades the animal’s immune system by turning off key genes.
- 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.
- Chemistry
Caffeine’s buzz attracts bees to flowers
Nectar of some blooms carries the drug, which improves bee memory.
- Life
Alga borrows genes to beat the heat, acid and toxic metals
Such genetic theft from bacteria and archaea is unusual among eukaryotes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chemistry
Missing link in taste chain identified
Taste-cell protein sends message to brain that tongue has detected sweet, bitter or umami flavor.
