Life

Life

DEET’s nastiness extends to humans

Study finds the bug-repellent ingredient stopped an enzyme from doing its job.

Life

Tiny bird, tiny genome

Study finds hummingbirds have pared-down DNA.

Health & Medicine

Adult mouse gut makes new neurons

Scientists find newborn nerve cells in the intestines of adult mice, suggesting a new line of research for treating intestinal disorders.

Earth

On plant invaders and bat fungus

Researchers discuss invasive species and bat-infecting fungi at the Botany & Mycology 2009 meeting

Animals

Of mice and men

Rapid anatomical changes in rodents linked to increases in human population density, precipitation.

Animals

New HIV-1 group

Scientists have identified another variant of the virus that can cause AIDS.

Life

Fish feel the flow

New model explains how fish rely on their lateral lines to read wakes.

Life

Book Review: The Root of Thought: Unlocking Glia–The Brain Cell That Will Help Us Sharpen Our Wits, Heal Injury, and Treat Brain Disease by Andrew Koob

Review by Tina Hesman Saey.

Life

Bent innards give orchid its kick

Violent pollen delivery in Catasetum flowers gets its power from temporarily deformed inner strip

Ecosystems

Churning the numbers

Some of the ocean’s small swimmers may be having a big impact on ocean mixing.

Agriculture

How weed killers might protect our eyes: It’s corny

Herbicides can boost trace-nutrient concentrations in sweet corn.

Chemistry

Brilliant blue for the spine

A study in rats suggests the blue dye similar to that found in popsicles and sports drinks may prevent cell death after spinal cord injury.