Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Microbes
Gulf floor fouled by bacterial oil feast
Observations may explain the widespread mortality of sediment-dwelling animals.
- Genetics
Some genes like it hot
Some regional DNA differences may be due to climate, global surveys suggest.
- Life
Genes & Cells
A study of the Amish reveals that sleep habits are inherited, plus more in this week’s news.
- Humans
Sweeps weak in human evolution
Contrary to conventional wisdom, the rapid spread of beneficial mutations has been relatively rare in the evolutionary history of Homo sapiens, a new study shows.
- Life
Packing away the poison
A genetic adaptation in a Hudson River fish species allows it to simply store toxic pollutants in its fat.
- Life
Hibernation mystery
Somehow overwintering bears slow their metabolic rates far more than their slightly decreased body temperatures would predict.
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- Life
Carnivorous bladderworts suck up prey
High-speed movies confirm that bug-eating plants are vacuum feeders.
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- Life
Moonless twilight may cue mass spawning
Subtle color shifts on the nights just after the full moon might synchronize the release of gametes by corals and other marine creatures.
- Life
Fleas leap from feet, not knees
After years of scratching their heads over the question of exactly how the impressive jumpers launch themselves, scientists find an answer.
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