Life
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Protein plays three cancer-fighting roles
The tumor suppressor protein, p53, has three ways to protect cells from turning cancerous. A new study shows that p53 helps make microRNAs.
- Life
Sleeping ugly
Analysis pinpoints genes that help springtails dehydrate and tough out the winter.
- Life
Web decorating with garbage
Spider webs adorned with decaying food remains attract more attacks, but maybe there’s a defensive trade-off at work.
By Susan Milius - Paleontology
Diggin’ dinos
Structures found in Australian rocks may be the filled-in remains of the world’s oldest dinosaur burrows.
By Sid Perkins - Life
Old gene, short new trick
A single genetic modification is linked to the stature of short-legged dog breeds, new research shows.
- Earth
Bird deaths blamed on vitamin deficiency
Shortage of thiamine may have been killing birds in the Baltic and possibly elsewhere for some 25 years.
By Susan Milius - Physics
Pseudo pores help fling spores
New studies reveal that a thick, soft plant expels its progeny in an unexpected way.
- Animals
Turtles make sense after all
The odd bodies of turtles add a wrinkle to standard land-dwelling vertebrates.
By Susan Milius - Life
Collins nominated to head NIH
The chemist — turned physician, turned geneticist — has a spiritual side as well.
By Janet Raloff - Animals
Megafish Sleuth: No Steve Irwin
There's no reason a scientist can't be an action hero — even if his damsels in distress have fins.
By Janet Raloff - Earth
Monster stingrays: Field notes from a global wrangler
A megafish biologist shares what he's learning about a rare freshwater species.
By Janet Raloff - Life
Hornets suffocate in bee ball
Researchers find a spike in carbon dioxide, along with an increase in heat, makes honeybees' enemies vulnerable.