Uncategorized
-
Humankind’s destructive streak may be older than the species itself
Some scientists have proposed designating a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene, that would cover the period since humans became the predominant environmental force on the planet. But when would you have it begin? Some geologists argue that the Anthropocene began with the Industrial Revolution, when fossil fuel consumption started influencing climate. Others point back several […]
- Earth
In Antarctica, melting may beget ice
Disintegration of floating glaciers could be responsible for freezing of seawater.
- Physics
Sound cloaks enter the third dimension
Concept could lead to sonar-defeating submarines or noise-cancelling highway barriers.
- Earth
Fungi pull carbon into northern forest soils
Organisms living on tree roots do the lion’s share of sequestering carbon.
- Animals
Termites, not fairies, cause plant circles in African deserts
Underground insect engineers create water traps in the soil, allowing rings of green grasses in the sand.
- Earth
Kansas was unbearably hot 270 million years ago
Temperatures soared to nearly 74 degrees Celsius, which no plants or animals could endure.
- Health & Medicine
Hepatitis C drug goes after patients’ RNA
An experimental medicine that targets a type of RNA in the liver leads to reduced virus levels in patients.
- Life
Blind cave-dwelling fish also hard of hearing
Two species that live in the dark have worse hearing than do their surface-living cousins.
- Life
Gut microbes may be behind weight loss after gastric bypass
Mice slim down after receiving bacteria transplanted from rodents that had the surgery.
- Psychology
Competition brings out autism’s social side
Given motivation, kids with autism can appreciate what other people think and believe.
- Life
Impending death alters crickets’ standards for mates
With a short time to live, parasite-infested females lose their preference for fast-chirping males.
- Life
Longhorn cattle ancestors came from Pakistan
New World breeds trace back to both major bovine lineages, genetic analysis shows.
