Nov. 11 SN: Hybrids tell tales, defining “species,” neutron star collision makes waves, AlphaGo's latest feat, Haumea's ring, the next bird flu to watch, inbreeding's downsides and more.

November 11, 2017

COVER: Nicole Rager Fuller; RIGHT: FLORIAN MUIJRES/WAGENINGEN UNIV.

Archives

Feature

Hybrids reveal the barriers to successful mating between species

Scientists don’t understand the process of speciation, but hybrids can reveal the genes that keep species apart.

5 months ago

Evolution,
Molecular Evolution,
Animals
Essay

Defining ‘species’ is a fuzzy art

Here's why scientists still don't agree on what a species is.

5 months ago

Evolution,
Conservation
News

Neutron star collision showers the universe with a wealth of discoveries

A collision of neutron stars was spotted with gravitational waves for the first time. Telescopes captured gamma rays, visible light and more from the smashup.

6 months ago

Astronomy,

Gravitational waves
Science Visualized

See a new mosaic of images of comet 67P from the Rosetta mission

A montage of images taken by the Rosetta spacecraft and its lander, Philae, recap the daring mission to comet 67P.

5 months ago

Planetary Science,
Astronomy,

Rosetta
News in Brief

Inbreeding hurts the next generation’s reproductive success

Inbreeding has evolutionary consequences for humans.

5 months ago

Genetics,
Evolution
Soapbox

Trauma surgeon studies gun violence stats — and was one

Joseph Sakran is trying to help counter the U.S. epidemic of gun violence with data.

5 months ago

Science & Society
News

The physics of mosquito takeoffs shows why you don’t feel a thing

Even when full of blood, mosquitoes use more wing force than leg force to escape a host undetected — clue to why they’re so good at spreading disease.

6 months ago

Biophysics,
Animals
First

This giant marsupial was a seasonal migrant

A new analysis suggests that Diprotodon optatum, a giant plant-eating marsupial that went extinct about 40,000 years ago, migrated long distances, much like today’s zebras and wildebeests.

6 months ago

Paleontology,
Animals
News

The newest AlphaGo mastered the game with no human input

AlphaGo Zero is the first AI system of its kind to learn the game just by playing against itself.

6 months ago

Artificial Intelligence,
Computing,
Technology
50 Years Ago

Ants were among the world’s first farmers

50 years ago, researchers began unraveling the secrets to Attine ants’ green thumbs.

5 months ago

Animals,
Evolution