A recent pattern of waning male births and increasing reproductive defects suggests that environmental pollutants may be selectively affecting male fetal development.

Examination of defective heart valves removed from patients during surgery shows a significant number had bone growing inside the valve.

Colorful gene marks mosquito manipulation 

Scientists have finally been able to genetically engineer mosquitoes so that the insects pass on selected traits to their offspring.

Ritalin may work better as purer compound 

Half of every dose of the drug Ritalin may contribute nothing to its therapeutic effect while possibly adding to its side effects.

An image of a newly discovered Einstein ring shows for the first time both the ring and the intervening body in a single photograph.

Butterflies in the scattered meadows of Finnish islands may provide the first evidence of inbreeding contributing to extinction in the natural world.

An ancient bone initially reported to have been fashioned into a flute by Neandertals more likely was chewed up by carnivores interested in food, not music.

A satellite sensor captured images of ring-shaped waves arising from thunderstorms.

 

Research Notes

Astronomy

Did an ocean flatten Mars’ northern half? 

Parts of Mars’ northern hemisphere may have been sculpted by an ancient ocean.

Sifting through thousands of images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered nearly 100 small, main-belt asteroids.

Biology

Rare, long view on frog ups and downs 

Researchers publish what may be the longest series yet of frog census data, allowing them to distinguish between temporary dips and long-term declines in population.

The asymmetry of hermit crabs, thought to be genetically determined, is actually a result of living inside spiral-shaped shells.

Chemistry

DNA scissors cleave their comrades 

DNA can act as an enzyme, clipping itself and other DNA molecules in two.

DNA can serve as a template for the formation of silver wires only one-thousandth the thickness of a human hair.

 

Food & Nutrition

Chia for your pet—if it clucks 

Hens who eat chia seeds lay eggs with fats friendlier to the heart.

Another way alcohol may help the heart 

A Swiss research team identified a mechanism that appears to help explain why drinking a little alcohol regularly may benefit the heart.

Eye-scanning technology and other approaches involving face recognition, hand geometry, voice printing and signature verification for security purposes are entering the marketplace.

A new science may emerge as ecologists and social scientists collaborate to investigate urban environments.