Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Animals
Honeybees use right antennae to tell friend from foe
Asymmetry in sense of smell alters insects' behavior in lab tests.
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- Animals
Cicadas’ odd life cycle poses evolutionary conundrums
Scientists are getting an idea about the odd family tree of periodical cicadas, how the insects synchronize their life cycles and why they breed side-by-side with others unsuitable for mating.
- Life
Genes in wheat relatives help stave off stem rust
Wild and obscure species provide resistance to deadly fungus.
- Life
Ancient horse’s DNA fills in picture of equine evolution
An entire genome compiled from a 700,000-year-old bone yields new information about equine history.
- Animals
Lemurs’ group size predicts social intelligence
Primates that live with many others know not to steal food when someone is watching.
- Animals
Elephant diets changed millions of years before their teeth
The animals fed on grasses long before their molars could grind the tough plants.
