Life
We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
A Most Private Evolution
The most dramatic examples of the power of evolutionary theory may come from the strange and ugly stuff — biology too dumb to have been designed.
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- Computing
Computing Evolution
Scientists sift through genetic data sets to better map twisting branches in the tree of life.
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- Life
For worms, one gene can change survival behavior
Natural differences in a single gene cause worms to either eat or avoid harmful bacteria.
- Life
Capuchin monkeys choose the right tool for the nut
New field experiments indicate that wild capuchin monkeys choose the most effective stones for cracking nuts, suggesting deep evolutionary roots for the use of stone tools.
- Life
Dinosaur fossil reveals creature of a different feather
Paleontologists have discovered a fossil partially covered with broad, unbranched filaments — a type of structure previously theorized to exist on primitive feathered dinosaurs but not found until now.
- Life
Genetic sameness could be factor in Tasmanian tiger extinction
The first complete mitochondrial genome of the Tasmanian tiger is revealed. Analysis shows little genetic diversity.
- Life
Superloud moth jams bat sonar
Newly recorded moth could be the first demonstrated case of natural sonar-jamming.
- Life
Love song of the dengue vector mosquito
Male and female mosquitoes harmonize pitch when in the mood.
- Health & Medicine
Sirtuin shown to control gene activity
A previously overlooked protein called SIRT6 provides some molecular clues to aging.
- Life
Fifty-two things to do with a bat wing
Bats swim, run, flirt and do lots of other nonflight jobs with their wings -- a fact that may have influenced evolution of the wing's architecture.
