Science Ticker
A roundup of research and breaking news
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Neuroscience
Dogs’ brains may process speech similar to humans’
When it comes to interpreting human speech, dogs may have brain-hemisphere biases similar to people’s.
- Genetics
Orchid genome may save highly endangered species
The sequenced genome of the orchid Phalaenopsis equestris offers some hints about a different form of photosynthesis and how the flowers of the plant got their specialized shape.
- Humans
Breakfast in the classroom boosts school attendance
Schools that serve breakfast in the classroom have slightly better attendance than schools that only offer the meal in the cafeteria.
- Genetics
Genes linked to feather development predate dinosaurs
The genes for feather development may have existed more than 100 million years before dinosaurs sported hints of the fluffy plumage.
- Animals
Virus implicated in sea star die-off
Sea stars on the west coast have been wasting away into puddles of slime. Now, scientists think they have pinpointed the virus that is causing the mass die-off of the dazzling marine creatures.
- Particle Physics
Two new particles found at Large Hadron Collider
Physicists with the Large Hadron Collider beauty experiment have identified two new particles called Xi_b'- and Xi_b*-.
- Planetary Science
Philae lander sent in a surprise before going to sleep
The robotic probe that landed on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has beamed back some surprises about the icy boulder.
- Astronomy
Good night, Philae
The Philae lander has depleted its batteries and gone into idle mode, probably drawing to a close the surface-based study of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
- Life
Semen seems to counteract microbicides that kill HIV
Semen seems to inhibit most microbicides from killing HIV, but one that targets a receptor on cells remains effective, suggesting a promising approach against HIV.
- Animals
Giant otters hum, scream, say ‘hah’ and more
Often overlooked as vocalists, giant otters make 22 different calls as adults and 11 kinds of baby babble.
- Planetary Science
Philae lander touches down on comet 67P
Rosetta’s lander Philae has reached the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and is starting to do science.
- Astronomy
Philae lander is in free fall toward comet 67P
The Rosetta spacecraft has nudged its lander Philae off its back toward the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
