SEX LIVES Wolbachia bacteria have done some remarkable things to sex in terrestrial crustaceans commonly called pill bugs — even when the actual bacteria are long gone.
Walter Siegmund/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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Magazine
In the October 1 SN: Meet the SN 10 — up-and-coming scientists exploring big questions, Tasmanian devils resist an epidemic of cancer, the ebb and flow of one man’s microbiome, oldest fossils, Juno’s first closeups of Jupiter and more.
Genes & Cells
Topic Image Rail
A LITTLE HELP Beagles that encountered an impossible problem — an immovable lid covering a treat (shown) — sometimes sought help from a nearby human stranger. Variations in a gene previously linked to autism in humans may influence the dogs’ people-seeking behavior.
Mia Persson
IN WITH THE NEW One technique to replace faulty mitochondria in egg cells has resulted in the birth of a healthy baby boy. The five-month-old is the first “three-parent baby” born using the spindle nuclear transfer procedure.
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Genes & Cells
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Genetics
News
To make female pill bugs, just add bacterial genes
Genes from Wolbachia bacteria infiltrated pill bugs and now make genetic males female.News
Gene linked to autism in people may influence dog sociability
DNA variants were linked to beagles’ tendency to seek human help. -
Cells
News
Color vision strategy defies textbook picture
Cone cells in the retina see in black and white and color.News
Lyme bacteria swap ‘catch bonds’ to navigate blood vessels
Lyme bacteria use same tricks as white blood cells to navigate blood stream. -
Development
News
Small number of genes trigger embryo development
New views of early embryo development reveal differences between humans and mice.ScicuriousThe fluid part of semen plays a seminal role
We often think of reproduction as involving only sperm and egg. But a new study highlights the seminal role of liquid semen in fertility and healthy offspring. -
Physiology
Feature
A healthy old age may trump immortality
Despite disagreements about what aging is and isn't, scientists have reached a radical consensus: It can be delayed.ScicuriousWomen in sports are often underrepresented in science
More and more women are taking up recreational and competitive sports. But when it comes to exercise science, the studies don’t reflect that trend. -
Immune Science
Feature
Vaccines may offer defense against dengue, Zika and chikungunya
Mosquitoes carry several harmful viruses—dengue, Zika, chikungunya. Vaccines may be the best means of defense.News
Some Crohn’s genes make cells deaf to messages from good gut bacteria
Genes linked to Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, might make people’s immune cells miss out on helpful messages sent by friendly gut bacteria. -
Microbiology
Science Visualized
How one scientist's gut microbes changed over a year
Computational biologist Lawrence David chronicled changes in his gut microbes for a year.News
Genes that control toxin production in C. difficile ID’d
Pinpointing the genes behind Clostridium difficile toxin production could help researchers disarm the superbug without killing “good” bacteria. -
Epigenetics
Science TickerDads pass health effects of stress on to sons, mouse study finds
In mice, males exposed to repeated psychological stress developed high blood sugar — and so did their unstressed male offspring.Feature
Year in review: Epigenome makes its debut
The Roadmap Epigenomics Project, unveiled in February 2015, is the first in a series of 3-D looks at the human genome. -
Molecular Evolution
News
Jumping gene turned peppered moths the color of soot
A single gene is behind some of the most famous examples of natural selection.Feature
Scientists dig up proteins from the past
To learn how today’s proteins evolved, scientists are reconstructing ancient molecules.
