Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Geneticists go ape for better primate family tree
The first gorilla genome and a more detailed look at chimp genetics provide new clues to evolution of humans and their closest relatives.
- Life
Size doesn’t matter for crayfish’s one-two crunch
Biological deception may give crustaceans an advantage during a fight.
- Life
Tracking the viral link to lymphoma
A mutation in an anticancer gene in the Epstein-Barr virus may account for some of its malignant effect, research shows.
- Life
Mild winters may shift spread of mosquito-borne illness
By pushing insects to start biting mammals earlier in the year, warmer cold months could increase the transmission of a brain virus affecting people and horses.
- Life
Carnivores can lose sweet genes
A gene involved in taste detection has glitches in some, but not all, highly carnivorous mammals.
- Life
Microraptor’s true blue colors
The birdlike dinosaur had black, iridescent feathers that may have helped it attract mates.
- Paleontology
Triceratops reigns alone again
Fossil comparison fends off a challenge that holds the dinosaur is but the immature version of the Torosaurus.
- Life
Bee genes may drive them to adventure
Scouting behavior linked to certain molecules in insect brains.
- Life
Exercise brings on DNA changes
Workouts and caffeine can turn on genes that make energy-regulating proteins.
- Life
Sawfish don’t saw
Spiked snouts whack prey to the bottom, helping the predator better get its mouth around dinner.
- Life
Fossil pushes back land-animal debut
Creatures first squished mud through their five toes millions of years earlier than previously believed.
- Physics
Plants’ reproductive weaponry unfurled
Botanical tricks include adhesion and bubbles to spread their spores into the environment.
