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Anthropology

Fossil teeth flesh out ancient kids’ varied growth rates

X-ray technique sheds light on hominids’ developmental variety.

Genetics

Catalog of DNA modifications produces surprises

A map of chemical modifications of DNA and its associated proteins shows how the genome changes during development and disease.

Neuroscience

Blame pot munchies on nerve cells that normally nix appetite

Pot munchies demystified: Marijuana hijacks fullness nerve cells, making them send hunger signals instead.

Astronomy

Closest star approach to the sun

Astronomers discover a binary system that made the closest known flyby of the sun.

Life

Insulin-suppressing hormone discovered

A newly discovered hormone suppresses insulin production and secretion in fruit flies and maybe in humans.

Neuroscience

Bipolar risk boosted by accumulation of rare versions of genes

A buildup of rare versions of genes that control nerve cell activity contributes to the genetic risk of bipolar disorder.

Ecosystems

Fooled you! Whirling tails of luna moths deflect bat attacks

Luna moths can use their tails to reflect the echolocation pings of bats, tricking the predators into striking the tails instead of less expendable body parts.

Environment

A coast-to-coast picture of America’s cacophony of sounds

The National Park Service mapped noise across the United States.

Genetics

For penguins, it’s a matter of no taste

Penguins lack taste genes for bitter, sweet and umami.

Tech

Facebook detects signs of postpartum depression

An analysis of Facebook activity can identify new moms with postpartum depression.

Astronomy

Giant hydrogen cloud headed for Milky Way

A high-speed hydrogen cloud on a crash course with the Milky Way appears to be an exotic interloper, preliminary data suggest.

Materials Science

Old chemistry gives jolt to modern batteries

Chemical reactions discovered in the 19th century improve the performance of futuristic batteries.