Life
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Paleontology
Feather-covered dinosaur fossils found
Scientists have uncovered a feather-laden, peacock-sized dinosaur that predates the oldest known bird.
By Sid Perkins - Life
Enter the Virosphere
As evidence of the influence of viruses escalates, appreciation of these master manipulators grows.
- Earth
Protected whales found in Japan’s supermarkets
Toothless Asian whales find themselves being protected by fairly toothless regulations.
By Janet Raloff - Ecosystems
Eels on the move
Study tracks European eels for the first 1,300 kilometers of their migration.
- Animals
Spider men weave silken tapestry
It took herculean effort, but Madagascar crafters created an extraordinary piece of woven art from spider silk.
By Janet Raloff - Paleontology
King of the ancient seas
Paleontologists discover fossilized skeleton of bus-sized marine reptile that had teeth with serrated edges.
By Sid Perkins - Chemistry
Changing charges make for squid rainbow
Study finds how proteins self assemble in the cells of Loligo squid to reflect different wavelengths of light
- Math
Math mimics hard-to-heal wounds
New model may lead to better treatments for chronic, blood-deprived sores
- Ecosystems
Venom attracts decapitating flies
New study may help scientists improve control of invasive fire ants
- Life
Locust wings built for the long haul
Flexible wings help locusts maximize efficiency in flight, new research shows.
- Paleontology
Tiny T. rex-like tyrants
Fossils of new species suggest peculiar features weren’t limited to the biggest dinosaurs
- Life
Dino-era delivery at sea
Genetic determination of gender is linked to live birth and evolutionary success of ancient marine reptiles, study finds.
By Sid Perkins