All Stories
- Health & Medicine
For heart repair, call RNA
Mice regrow muscle cells after heart attacks if injected with molecules mimicking RNA involved in cell growth.
- Astronomy
Fast-spinning young Earth pulled the moon into a yo-yo orbit
The early moon’s orbit created a cycle between lunar phases unlike the one seen nowadays.
- Animals
How velvet worms slime their prey
Researchers have figured out the mechanics behind velvet worms’ wobbly slime jets.
- Ecosystems
Even fast-breeding rabbits can’t withstand Everglades python invasion
Even marsh rabbits in the Everglades can’t breed fast enough to keep their population going when Burmese pythons warm up for summer hunting.
By Susan Milius - Animals
Mudskippers use watery tongue to slurp up snacks on land
When mudskippers move from water to land, they use a tongue made of water to move food to the back of their throat and into their stomachs.
- Math
P value ban: small step for a journal, giant leap for science
Peer-reviewed journals have largely insisted on P values as a standard of worthiness. But now the editors of one journal have banned the statistical tool.
- Animals
Evidence of ‘yeti’ probably came from a Himalayan black bear
Last year, a genetic analysis revealed two hairs from an unknown species of bear in Asia. A new study finds that they belong to rare Himalayan black bears.
- Life
Finches can pass H7N9 bird flu to chickens
In laboratory experiments, society finches spread H7N9 into water when they drank, infecting chickens and quail that drank the same water.
- Genetics
The upside of a demolished chromosome
A woman’s rare genetic disease was cured when a chromosome carrying the mutant gene shattered.
- Health & Medicine
Aspirin, other painkillers may not reduce colorectal cancer risk for everybody
Aspirin and NSAIDs appear widely protective against colorectal cancer, but not for everyone.
By Nathan Seppa - Animals
Snail shell creates blue iridescence with mineral
Mollusk shines blue using calcium compound rather than organic molecule.
- Life
Cyborg beetles reveal secrets of insect flight
Remote controlled beetles swoop to the rescue in insect flight simulations.