Life
We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Ecosystems
Fish shrinkage reversible, but better hurry
In an experiment, scientists show that, although it takes generations, fish can rebound from evolutionary pressures created by selective harvesting, which has pushed some populations to become small and slow-growing.
- Paleontology
Dinosaur handprints reveal birdlike arm anatomy
Inward-facing palms evolved much earlier than previously recognized, a new study finds.
- Health & Medicine
One protein mediates damage from high-fructose diet
A study in mice suggests that a liver protein mediates the harmful effects of consuming too much fructose, an increasingly common aspect of Western diets.
- Life
Gene links autism, bellyaches
Researchers have uncovered a genetic link between autism and gastrointestinal disorders in some families.
- Life
Prions complicit in Alzheimer’s disease
A study in mice suggests a version of prion proteins, which are known to cause the brain-wasting mad cow and Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases, may also play a role in neuron malfunction.
- Life
New stegosaur is quite a stretch
A newly discovered stegosaur has neck proportions like those of sauropods.
- Animals
Climate change discourages second families
Birds out of sync with local baby food supply of caterpillars aren’t nesting a second time.
- Life
Tastes like metal
Scientists have discovered that proteins that help sense sweet and spice also help taste metals.
- Plants
Animals’ jaundice pigment found in plants
Bilirubin, a compound well known in animals, gives seed fuzz its intense orange.
- Life
Anti-aging: A little stress may keep cells youthful
The aging-related Sirtuin 1 protein also regulates heat shock response, a mechanism cells use to combat stress.
- Ecosystems
Marine census: Surprising number of creatures bipolar
Census of Marine Life offers a preview of massive international census gives fuller count, shows some sea species at both poles.
- Life
Jumping genes provide unexpected diversity
Mobile DNA elements have stuffed and shrunk the human genome, a comparison of two genomes reveal
