Notebook

  1. Animals

    In marine mammals’ battle of the sexes, vaginal folds can make the difference

    Patricia Brennan and colleagues found certain female ocean mammals have vaginal folds that give them an advantage in mating

    By Lesley Evans Ogden
  2. Animals

    This ancient marsupial lion had an early version of ‘bolt-cutter’ teeth

    Extinct dog-sized predator crunched with unusual slicers toward the back of its jaw.

    By Susan Milius
  3. Paleontology

    This new dinosaur species was one odd duck

    Weird dino swimmer had flipperlike limbs and a swanlike neck.

    By Carolyn Gramling
  4. Animals

    Studying giant tortoise flips without tipping the animals over is a delicate business

    Giant tortoise shells go domed or saddlebacked, but which is better when navigating treacherous ground?

    By Susan Milius
  5. Humans

    50 years ago, folate deficiency was linked to birth defects

    50 years ago, scientists found that a lack of folic acid in pregnant women could cause birth defects. But now, how much is too much?

    By Bethany Brookshire
  6. Astronomy

    Here’s what really happened to Hanny’s Voorwerp

    Glowing clouds of gas known as Hanny’s Voorwerp offer a way to study galaxies and black holes in the distant past.

    By Lisa Grossman
  7. Genetics

    Bones show Dolly’s arthritis was normal for a sheep her age

    Cloning didn’t cause the famous sheep to age prematurely.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  8. Health & Medicine

    Step away from the cookie dough. E. coli outbreaks traced to raw flour

    Flour, though low in moisture, can sicken people with E. coli toxins if it is eaten raw.

    By Laurel Hamers
  9. Tech

    50 years ago, artificial limbs weren’t nearly as responsive

    Artificial limbs have come a long way since 1967.

    By Cassie Martin
  10. Astronomy

    Ancient spiral galaxy is 11 billion years old

    The most ancient spiral galaxy seen to date is 11 billion years old and could help reveal how galaxies sprout arms.

    By Lisa Grossman
  11. Animals

    The Lord Howe stick insect is officially back from the dead

    New genomic sequencing confirms that stick insects discovered near Lord Howe Island are the assumed-extinct Lord Howe stick insect.

    By Mariah Quintanilla
  12. Animals

    Here’s why some water striders have fans on their legs

    A fan of tiny, elegant plumes on their legs helps certain water striders dash across flowing water without getting wet.

    By Susan Milius