All Stories

  1. Genetics

    Dog clone genome nearly identical to donor DNA

    The genetic material of Snuppy and of his donor, Tai, is nearly identical.

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  2. Humans

    Our Final Invention

    Computers already make all sorts of decisions for you. Imagine if the machines controlled even more aspects of life and could truly think for themselves.

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  3. Planetary Science

    Carbonation may have grounded Mars’ atmosphere

    The chemical interaction could have forced Red Planet’s atmospheric carbon dioxide into the dirt.

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  4. Earth

    Trees mark the spot of buried gold

    Tiny bits of the precious metal in eucalyptus leaves indicate treasure lurks belowground.

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  5. Particle Physics

    Higgs mass isn’t natural, but maybe it shouldn’t be

    Famous particle’s perplexing properties suggest physicists should change their expectations.

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  6. Humans

    Medicine’s future inspired by science fiction

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  7. Environment

    Feedback

    Readers respond to "Solving soot," trade-offs of horn size for male Soay sheep and the huge galactic explosion story from 50 years ago.

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  8. Physics

    Oldest pitch-drop experiment

    The allure of pitch — a black tarlike hydro-carbon by-product of distilling petroleum, wood or coal — comes from its split personality: It shatters from a quick hit with a hammer, but flows if set aside for long periods.

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  9. Life

    Good news for giant pandas

    The animal’s immune system has higher than expected genetic diversity, which could lead to better breeding programs.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    Infant digestive problem more likely with formula

    Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, which causes forceful vomiting, is more common in babies not breast-fed.

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  11. Genetics

    Groovy surface changes cells’ state

    Physical cues may be as important as chemical ones when trying to revert mature cells to stem-cell-like ones.

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  12. Agriculture

    Fertilizer has staying power

    Nitrogen-based fertilizer may remain in the soil for eight decades, complicating efforts to reduce pollution from runoff into rivers.

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