All Stories by Amy Maxmen
- Life
Animal origins shift to comb jellies
Genetic data confirm the marine predators have more ancient origin than simpler sponges.
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- Life
How the snake got its fangs
A study of snake embryos suggests that fangs evolved once, then moved around in the head to give today’s snakes a variety of bites.
- Health & Medicine
Location matters
Scientists find the role of dopamine varies from one end of a brain region to another.
- Health & Medicine
Sick and down
To fight off an infection or illness, the body shifts into a slow-down mode that mirrors some symptoms of depression. In fact, scientists now think the immune response itself may even cause the mood disorder.
- Animals
Live fast, die young
With a lifespan of just five months, the chameleon Furcifer labordi leads a briefer life than any other land-dwelling vertebrate.
- Health & Medicine
Curative leaf
Compound in marijuana reduces inflammation without the psychological effects.
- Life
When cells go quiet
Connections between nerve cells may be lost when communication between the cells lapses.
- Health & Medicine
Where funny faces come from
Making a face might have helped human ancestors survive.
- Archaeology
Resurrection of a biblical tree
Date palm pit found at Masada sprouts at age 2,000, becoming the oldest known seed to germinate.
- Health & Medicine
Seeing disease’s acidic side
Small tumors can be detected using a new technique that safely, reliably and noninvasively measures tissue chemistry.
- Life
Simple body, complex blueprints
Genes key to the development of modern animals' body plans show up in primitive-looking comb jellies.
