Science Ticker
A roundup of research and breaking news
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Finches can pass H7N9 bird flu to chickens
In laboratory experiments, society finches spread H7N9 into water when they drank, infecting chickens and quail that drank the same water.
- Life
Cyborg beetles reveal secrets of insect flight
Remote controlled beetles swoop to the rescue in insect flight simulations.
- Animals
Nanocrystals explain chameleons’ color shifts
Tiny crystals embedded in chameleons’ skin reflect specific wavelengths of light based on their position, explaining how chameleons change colors.
- Health & Medicine
Rise in measles cases predicted in Ebola-stricken areas
Disruptions in vaccination campaigns in West Africa during the Ebola outbreak could lead to as many as 16,000 deaths from measles in the coming months.
- Planetary Science
Rosetta probe to start listening for the lost lander Philae
The European Space Agency’s Rosetta probe will start listening for a signal from the lost lander Philae, missing in action since its landing on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko on November 12.
- Astronomy
Hubble telescope sees quadruple
A galaxy bends light to create four images of the same supernova.
- Planetary Science
Dawn spacecraft on final approach to Ceres
Dawn gets ready to enter the first orbit of its 14-month visit to the dwarf planet Ceres.
- Health & Medicine
Arsenic spurs adaptation in Argentinian villagers
The people of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina, have genetic adaptations that may help them efficiently get rid of arsenic, a new study shows.
- Animals
How pigeons bob and weave through obstacles
When navigating an obstacle course, pigeons weigh energy efficiency against the danger of collision, research finds.
- Health & Medicine
Despite risks, vaccine delay requests are common
A survey of pediatricians and family doctors finds parents frequently put off vaccines for babies even though doctors warn it can place the children at risk of illness.
- Plants
Plant growth patterns changing on much of Earth’s surface
More than half of Earth’s land surface has seen major changes in factors such as leaf-on date and how much vegetation grows in a season.
- Life
Superfast evolution observed in soil bacteria
Natural selection resurrects flagella in soil bacteria in just four days.
