Notebook
- Genetics
Genes and environment balance each other
Genes and environment have equal influence on human traits.
- Astronomy
Brightest galaxy discovered
The brightest known galaxy is about 350 trillion times as bright as the sun, and a supermassive black hole is to blame.
- Science & Society
Here’s what game theory says about how to win in semifinals
Game theory informs competitors facing off in a semifinal whether to go all out or save energy for the final.
- Genetics
A billion years of evolution doesn’t change some genes
Human genes can substitute for 47 percent of essential genes in baker’s yeast, new research shows.
- Animals
Pandas’ gut bacteria resemble carnivores’
Unlike other vegetarians, the bamboo eaters lack plant-digesting microbes.
- Animals
Vampire squid take mommy breaks
The vampire squid again defies its sensationalist name with a life in the slow lane.
- Astronomy
First quasar quartet discovered
A quartet of quasars seen in the early universe may mark where a massive galaxy cluster is starting to form.
- Animals
Early research asked whether cats dream
Early research asked whether cats dream; researchers still don’t know definitively.
- Astronomy
Erupting volcanoes may cause exoplanet’s temperature extremes
Temperatures fluctuate wildly on a nearby exoplanet, and volcanoes might be the culprit.
- Paleontology
Oldest known avian relative of today’s birds found in China
Fossil find suggests modern birds’ oldest avian relative lived about 6 million years before previous record holder.
- Plants
How slow plants make ridiculous seeds
Coco de mer palms scrimp, save and take not quite forever creating the world’s largest seeds.
- Plants
Medfly control methods were ready for pest’s influx
50 years ago, researchers prepared to greet Mediterranean fruit flies with sterile males.
