News in Brief

  1. Genetics

    Mice lose a gene to drop some weight

    Mice lacking gene have less fat, more muscle and lived longer than normal.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  2. Plants

    Fossil fern showcases ancient chromosomes

    Fossil nuclei and chromosomes seen in a 180-million-year-old fern reveals that the plants have stayed mostly the same.

    By Meghan Rosen
  3. Climate

    Climate change may spread Lyme disease

    The territory of the ticks that transmit Lyme disease is growing as the climate warms.

    By Beth Mole
  4. Life

    Vitamin A deficit in the womb hurts immune development

    Mice deprived of vitamin A in utero grow up with undersized immune organs.