Life

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We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Life

    H9N2 avian flu strain has pandemic potential

    Just one change in a strain of avian flu virus makes it transmissible by direct contact in ferrets, but the virus still lacks the ability to spread by airborne particles.

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  2. Plants

    Bittersweet fruits

    A new study provides strong evidence that fruits harm predators with the same chemicals that, for example, give chili peppers their spice.

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  3. Health & Medicine

    Running interference on cholesterol

    Injected RNA molecule lowers LDL in rats and monkeys.

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  4. Life

    Humans aided, constrained by fossil fuels

    Maintaining long-term population will require alternate energy sources.

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  5. Life

    DNA defense

    Scientists find a type of white blood cell releases its mitochondrial DNA, along with toxic proteins, as a defense against invading bacteria.

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  6. Life

    Beetles hear the heat

    Researchers verify fire beetles have a pressure vessel that enables them to sense intense heat.

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  7. Life

    Making T cells tougher against HIV

    Delivering small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, to human immune cells in mice protects the cells from HIV and suggests future therapy for patients.

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  8. Life

    His master’s yawn

    When humans open up for a jaw-stretcher, so do their best friends.

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  9. Life

    Eat less, weigh more

    Separate neurons in the nematode brain control eating and fat-building. The discovery may help explain some mysteries of obesity.

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  10. Life

    Time to chill

    Well-preserved fossils deposited in an Antarctic lake about 14 million years ago pin down when a large part of the now-icy continent most recently dipped below freezing.

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  11. Life

    Smallest known snake

    New species is thin as a spaghetti noodle but shorter.

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  12. Animals

    Built for Speed

    Animals would prove fierce competitors at the Olympics — if only they would stay in their lanes.

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