Life

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We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. Life

    Camel ancestors lived in the Arctic

    Fossils on Ellesmere Island suggest famous desert dweller got its start in cold regions.

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  4. Animals

    Native pollinators boost crop yields worldwide

    Farms with crops from coffee to mangoes don’t get the best yields if they rely solely on honeybees.

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  5. Life

    Sperm swim against the current

    Human and mouse sperm both follow upstream currents to the egg.

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  6. Life

    Impact craters may have been a toasty home for early life

    The heat generated during a cosmic crash could have nurtured ancient organisms.

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  7. Neuroscience

    Tadpoles with eyes in their tails see the light

    Transplanted eyes in the creature’s tail can distinguish between red and blue.

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  8. Life

    Scientists race to understand deadly new virus

    Emerging virus causes severe illness, but doesn’t spread as quickly as SARS.

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  9. Animals

    How weaver ants get a grip

    Strong sticking power and quick reaction time help the insects stay put in trees.

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  10. Life

    Sleep loss affects gene activity

    Losing zzz’s shifts workings of more than 700 genes.

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  11. Life

    Insulin levels wax and wane daily

    Modern life may clash with the hormone’s natural cycle, new mouse research suggests.

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  12. Life

    Bees learn the electric buzz of flowers

    Floral electric fields could join color and fragrance as cues to pollinators.

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