Life
We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Polar bears’ ancient roots pushed way back
Full genetic blueprints suggest the animals split from brown bears millions of years ago.
- Animals
Tiny creature, giant sperm
Giant sperm appear in various other species, including some flatworms, beetles and a fruit fly species, Drosophila bifurca, with sperm nearly 6 centimeters long.
- Life
Fake jellyfish so real it even swims
Constructed of silicone and heart cells, medusoid moves like the real thing.
- Life
Little animals spread sperm for smelly mosses
Sex-specific odors may entice springtails to kick off fertilization.
- Math
Test decodes dolphins’ math skills
Dolphins could use mental math to locate prey in clouds of bubbles.
- Life
Study shows where identical twins part ways
By birth, genetic doubles are already using their DNA differently.
- Life
Insulin may be Big Antler hormone
Extra sensitivity to the hormone in certain developing tissues might give animals their oversized weapons and ornaments.
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- Life
Skinny searchers keep fat ants full
By controlling movement out of an ant nest, researchers discover that ants weigh tubbiness in deciding who hunts for food.
- Life
Young flies cannibalize the plump
An evolutionary biologist’s modest proposal shocks colleagues who thought they knew everything about their favorite laboratory organism.
- Life
Blog: Arsenic-based life gets even more toxic
With a pair of new papers, scientists have driven two more stakes through the heart of a controversial research finding that its authors won’t let die.
