Life
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
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LifeBeetle philandering doesn’t work out for the ladies
A common idea about the benefits of multiple matings for females turns out to be wrong for seed beetles.
By Susan Milius -
LifeLong-lasting daddy longlegs
Fossils of two new daddy longlegs species have been unearthed in China.
By Sid Perkins -
Health & MedicineDownside of red-hot chili peppers
In the wild, a culinary kick comes with risks to the plant.
By Susan Milius -
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HumansSeeking genetic fate
Personal genomics companies offer forecasts of disease risk, but the science behind the packaging is still evolving.
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LifeMosquito fish count comrades to stay alive
New experiments indicate that mosquito fish can count small numbers of companions swimming in different groups, an ability that apparently evolved to assist these fish in avoiding predators.
By Bruce Bower -
Health & MedicineA role for Merkels
Mysterious skin cells known as Merkel cells are required to sense light touches.
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PaleontologyBird in the hand
Fossilized fingers strengthen evolutionary link between dinosaurs and avian relatives.
By Sid Perkins -
LifeEstrogen may reprogram prostate cancer gene in black men
Study finds a lack of chemical tags near a prostate cancer gene in African American males.
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Health & MedicineReplacing microRNA for cancer treatment
Replacing missing microRNAs in cancer cells may open up a new field for cancer treatment.
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Health & MedicineStressed-out DNA turns mousy brown hair gray
Scientists show how change happens when cells responsible for colorful hair lose their self-renewing abilities.