DOGGONE CUTE These puppies are part of the first litter of dogs (five beagles and two beagle‒cocker spaniel mixes) conceived by in vitro fertilization.
Mike Carroll/Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
CIRCLE OF DEATH A circular pit excavated in France (left) contains the remains of eight people probably killed in a violent attack around 6,000 years ago. Seven severed left arms lay at the bottom of the pit. A diagram of the pit discoveries denotes bones of each individual in different colors.
F. Chenal et al/Antiquity 2015, © Bertrand Perrin/Antea (photo)
SHAPING UP Genes have a hand in shaping brain structures, a new analysis reveals.
Pixologic Studio/Science Source
HOT STUFF Earth’s mantle rapidly becomes more viscous around 1,000 kilometers below ground (gray bar), new research shows. That viscosity increase could narrow and deflect the rising plumes of hot rock (yellow blobs) that fuel volcanoes on the surface.
M.L. Rudolph, V. Lekić and C. Lithgow-Bertelloni
Science News
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Elusive chemical reaction transition state captured
A new method provides a detailed look at the elusive transition state.
News in Brief
Salty source of Ceres’ mysterious bright spots found
Bright spots on Ceres contain salts from a possible subsurface layer of ice while ammonia-rich minerals hint at building blocks incorporated from the far outer solar system.
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Liberia’s Ebola outbreak largely traced to one source
Ebola’s spread and evolution in Liberia echoes patterns seen in Sierra Leone.
Feature
Can DNA predict a face?
DNA-based facial sketches are moving into the crime-solving arena. With current science, predictions of some features are better than others.
News in Brief
Japanese spacecraft reaches Venus — five years late
The Japanese Space Agency’s Akatsuki spacecraft succeeded at a second attempt at orbiting Venus, five years after an engine failure prevented its intended mission.
Feature
Gene drives spread their wings
Gene drives may wipe out malaria and take down invasive species. But they may be difficult to control.
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Water bears’ genetic borrowing questioned
A new analysis of tardigrade DNA suggests that water bears don’t swap many genes with other organisms after all.
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New dating of dino ancestor challenges Triassic timeline
New dates for geologic layers of well-known fossil formation show that dinosaurs and their ancient relatives were separated by less time than researchers thought.
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High-potency pot smokers show brain-fiber damage
People who smoke potent pot had signs of damage in a brain communication link.
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DNA editing shows success in mosquito sterilization
A new gene drive that sterilizes females could reduce numbers of malaria mosquitoes
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‘Q-carbon’ may offer quick route to diamonds
Q-carbon might be the third form of solid carbon, but some scientists have doubts.
Science Stats
Humankind’s water use greater than thought
Humans’ global water footprint increases when accounting for water losses from water management practices.
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Warming culprit CO2 has a cool side — and it’s in Antarctica
Rising CO2 levels above central Antarctica cause cooling, not warming, new research suggests. The odd effect results from surface temperatures that are colder than the overlying stratosphere.
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Human gene editing research gets green light
Gene editing research can move forward, but not for reproductive purposes, international summit committee says.
News in Brief
Mysterious cosmic signals carry a clue to their origins
A burst of radio waves from another galaxy ran into a dense magnetized plasma while en route to Earth, hinting at an origin near a population of young stars.
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Pay attention to that under-the-weather feeling
People can forecast their likelihood of catching colds by rating their own health, study shows.
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Spooky quantum connection quantified for multiple particles
Physicists have measured quantum entanglement between several particles rather than just two.
News in Brief
Virus spread by mosquitoes linked to rare birth defect
In addition to fever, rash and vomiting, Zika virus may cause rare birth defect.