Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Inflaming dangers of a fat-laden meal
In overweight people, immune cells embedded in fat are sensitive to high levels of fat in the blood, triggering inflammation that can lead to heart disease and diabetes.
- Ecosystems
Sperm whales may team up to herd prey
Data recorders yield first hints of coordinated feeding behavior.
- Life
Bacterial neighbors get mean
Strains of the same species growing just meters apart can do a lot of damage to each other — and to themselves.
- Health & Medicine
Possible prostate cancer culprit
Scientists identify a type of stem cell and a gene that play a role in the disease.
- Health & Medicine
Dolphins may offer clues to treating diabetes
Insulin-resistance switch helps maintain glucose levels in dolphin brains, suggesting possible clues to treating diabetes in people.
- Health & Medicine
Tumor tracking gets personal
A new method has the potential to use genome science to improve cancer care.
- Humans
Decoding diversity in Bushmen
Decoding the genetic makeup of tribal leaders and Archbishop Desmond Tutu uncovers rich genetic diversity in southern Africans.
- Life
Human noise may distract animals
When boats roar, hermit crabs slip up and let predators get extra close
- Paleontology
Sail-backed dinos had semiaquatic lifestyle
Isotopic analyses of fossils suggest the carnivores had crocodile-like habits.
- Life
Sperm’s pore propulsion
Scientists identify a key proton channel that helps explain the dash to fertilization.
- Health & Medicine
Protein clumps like a prion, but proves crucial for long-term memory
Study in slugs hints that some molecular 'misbehavior' in neurons may help solidify learning.
- Earth
Oldest feathered dino shows its colors
Analysis of a fossil suggests plumage first evolved for display, not flight.
