Uncategorized
- Animals
Fossil illuminates ancestry of swifts and hummingbirds
Spectacularly preserved remains suggest that the two avian groups' predecessors got small before splitting and developing their flying chops.
- Life
Genetic fossils betray hepatitis B’s ancient roots
Modern bird genomes reveal evidence that virus is at least 82 million years old.
- Space
Snapshots reveal details of Saturn’s gigantic hurricane
Storm dwarfs anything on Earth, with enormous eye and whipping winds.
By Erin Wayman - Life
Bees need honey’s natural pharmaceuticals
Ingredients trigger insects' genes for detoxification and immune defenses against bacteria.
By Susan Milius - Health & Medicine
Brain measurements predict math progress with tutoring
The size and connections of a brain structure associated with memory formation predicted learning ability in 8- and 9-year-old children.
By Meghan Rosen - Humans
What ancient mummies have to tell us about the perils of modern life
Once you hit a certain age, visiting a doctor is basically a guilt trip. All that satisfying stuff you eat, drink or smoke is killing you, a white-coated overachiever tells you. You need to exercise and lose weight, or the grim reaper will be at your door long before you’re ready. And it will all […]
By Matt Crenson - Space
LHC detects asymmetry in particle’s decay
While interesting, the imbalance in the decay of strange B mesons isn’t large enough to explain why matter predominates over antimatter in the universe.
By Andrew Grant - Health & Medicine
HIV vaccine trial stopped
Shots-plus-booster strategy deemed ineffective in preventing infection.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Hookah smoking delivers carcinogens and carbon monoxide
Water pipes deliver carcinogens, nicotine and carbon monoxide to the user, a study finds.
By Nathan Seppa - Life
Signs of culture in whales and monkeys
Mammals learn feeding behaviors from their friends and family members.
By Meghan Rosen - Life
So far, the great tit has coped with climate change
Earlier arrival of birds’ food due to warming temperatures hasn’t yet reduced bird population.
By Susan Milius - Humans
Maya civilization’s roots may lie in ritual
Cultural exchanges in southern Mexico and Guatemala tied to ancient society's rise.
By Bruce Bower