Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- 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.
- Life
Camel ancestors lived in the Arctic
Fossils on Ellesmere Island suggest famous desert dweller got its start in cold regions.
- 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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- Life
Impact craters may have been a toasty home for early life
The heat generated during a cosmic crash could have nurtured ancient organisms.
