SECONDHAND RISK Children appear more prone to eczema if their mom spent her pregnancy in a smoky home, a new study finds.
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Genes & Cells
Topic Image Rail
GOOD NUTRITION Breast milk contributes to an intestinal mix of microbes in newborns that might suppress pet allergy risk later, a study finds.
maybefalse/istockphoto
Two mutations allowed soil bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens) to re-evolve flagella: One pumped up levels of a protein than controls nitrogen uptake, and one that switched that protein’s job to flagella production control.
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Genes & Cells
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Genetics
News
For penguins, it’s a matter of no taste
Penguins lack taste genes for bitter, sweet and umami.News in Brief
Ebola virus evolution tracked by genetic data
Analysis of Ebola genomes shows how the virus has evolved and some of the mutations that may thwart treatments. -
Cells
Mystery Solved
Chili peppers’ pain-relieving secrets uncovered
Scientists discover how stuff that makes chili peppers hot relieves pain.News in Brief
Contamination blamed in STAP stem cell debacle
Stem cells supposedly made in acid baths were really embryonic stem cells, investigation finds. -
Development
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Physiology
Introducing
Insulin-suppressing hormone discovered
A newly discovered hormone suppresses insulin production and secretion in fruit flies and maybe in humans.News
Electric eels remote-control nervous systems of prey
Electric eels’ high-voltage zaps turn a prey fish against itself, making it freeze in place or betray a hiding place. -
Immune Science
News
In battle to shape immunity, environment often beats genes
The environment, especially microbes, shapes immune system reactions more than genes do.Science TickerEbola virus edits its own genetic material
Both the Ebola and Marburg viruses edit their genetic material when infecting cells. The viruses may make proteins currently unknown to scientists. -
Microbiology
News in Brief
When bacteria-killing viruses take over, it’s bad news for the gut
A rise in some bacteria-killing viruses in the intestines may deplete good bacteria and trigger inflammatory bowel diseases.News in Brief
Cold coddles colds
Antiviral responses aren’t as effective against common cold viruses in cooler temperatures. -
Epigenetics
News
Catalog of DNA modifications produces surprises
A map of chemical modifications of DNA and its associated proteins shows how the genome changes during development and disease.News
Gene activity change can produce cancer
Scientists have long thought that epigenetic changes, which alter gene activity, can cause cancer. Now they have demonstrated it in a mouse experiment. -
Molecular Evolution
News in BriefHuman evolution tied to a small fraction of the genome
Natural selection has concentrated on a small portion of the human genome, and mostly not on genes themselves.News
Tibetans live high life thanks to extinct human relatives
DNA shared by modern-day Tibetans and extinct Denisovans suggests people picked up helpful genes through interbreeding with other hominids.
