Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Smell deals with deprivation differently
One odor-related brain region called the orbitofrontal cortex keeps the sense primed for resumed input during a cold.
- Humans
North African Diaspora written in genes
DNA analysis of people from 15 groups identifies distinct groups and migrations.
- Neuroscience
When evaluating textbook dogmas about the brain, keep an open mind
When evaluating textbook dogmas about the brain, keep an open mind.
- Life
How the elephant gets its infrasound
Just blowing air through a pachyderm’s larynx produces fundamental elements of the mysterious rumblings that send messages too low for people to hear.
- Life
Rabies resistance arises in backwater thick with vampire bats
Residents of two remote Peruvian communities appear to have survived infection by the deadly virus.
- Animals
Epidemic of skin lesions reported in reef fish
A British-Australian research team has just found coral trout living on the south side of the Great Barrier Reef sporting dark skin raised, scablike, brown-black growths. Although the authors believe they’ve stumbled onto an epidemic of melanoma — a type of skin cancer — other experts have their doubts. Strong ones.
- Life
Select cells appear to spawn tumors
Separate studies support the theory that stem cells cause cancers to emerge and recur.
- Humans
DNA hints at African cousin to humans
Complete genetic profiles of people from three hunter-gatherer groups suggest Homo sapiens interbred with a now-extinct species on the continent relatively recently.
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- Life
Genome of a fruit besieged
The banana genome has been unpeeled. The genetic makeup of Musa acuminata, a fertile banana species that gave rise to the seedless Cavendish and other clonal varieties people eat today, sheds light on the plant’s evolutionary history and ripening process. This information may also help researchers boost the crop’s resistance to fungal and viral pathogens […]
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- Chemistry
Terminator termites have unique technique
Age intensifies likelihood of workers turning into tiny suicide bombers.
