Ecosystems
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		LifeDeath-grip fungus made me do it
Infection may be driving ants to set their jaws in low-hanging leaves before they die.
By Susan Milius - 			
			
		EcosystemsChurning the numbers
Some of the ocean’s small swimmers may be having a big impact on ocean mixing.
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		Health & MedicineChimpanzees die from primate version of HIV
A new study links the simian immunodeficiency virus to serious AIDS-like illness in a wild population.
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		Health & MedicineDownside of red-hot chili peppers
In the wild, a culinary kick comes with risks to the plant.
By Susan Milius - 			
			
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		EcosystemsFrom sea to squid, thanks to slime
Scientists have revealed new details about the genes — and the goo — that enable luminescent bacteria to colonize their symbiotic marine partner.
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		PlantsClimatic effects of tree-killing hurricanes
A new analysis suggests storm damage returns millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere each year.
By Sid Perkins - 			
			
		EcosystemsLiving Physics
From green leaves to bird brains, biological systems may exploit quantum phenomena.
By Susan Gaidos - 			
			
		AnimalsSwarm Savvy
How bees, ants and other animals avoid dumb collective decisions
By Susan Milius - 			
			
		EcosystemsExxon Valdez: Tidal waters still troubled
From birds and clams to herring, many species continue to show persistent impacts of an oil spill that occurred two decades ago.
By Janet Raloff - 			
			
		EcosystemsExxon Valdez killed future for some killer whales
An Alaskan oil spill disrupted family structure in killer-whale groups, with lasting and dramatic repercussions.
By Janet Raloff - 			
			
		HumansOtters and oil: Problems remain
The behavior of Alaska's southern sea otters may unwittingly expose them to toxic oil-spill residues.
By Janet Raloff