Life

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

More Stories in Life

  1. Animals

    How science can help you train your puppy

    Puppies with a good grasp of basic gestures, self-confidence and impulse control grow into well-behaved adults, a new study suggests.

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  2. Neuroscience

    Early Parkinson’s trials revive stem cells as a possible treatment

    The phase I clinical trials showed stem cell transplants for Parkinson’s disease appear to be safe and might restore dopamine-producing brain cells.

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  3. Paleontology

    Could Spinosaurus swim? The fierce dinosaur ignites debate

    Researchers are still divided about whether Spinosaurus was a swimmer or a wader. What’s clear is that confirming the first swimming dinosaur would be a game-changer.

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  4. Animals

    Bats wearing tiny mics reveal how the fliers avoid rush hour collisions

    As thousands of bats launch nightly hunting, the cacophony of a dense crowd should stymie echolocation, a so-called “cocktail party nightmare.”

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  5. Animals

    Snakes are often the villains. A new book gives them a fair shake

    From demon to danger noodle, human ideas about snakes can be as contradictory as the creatures themselves. In Slither, Stephen S. Hall challenges our serpent stereotypes.

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  6. Paleontology

    Scotland’s Isle of Skye was once a dinosaur promenade

    New dinosaur fossil tracks on the Isle of Skye reveal that the once-balmy environment was home to both fierce theropods and massive sauropods.

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  7. Animals

    The story of dire wolves goes beyond de-extinction

    Some question whether the pups are really dire wolves, or just genetically tweaked gray wolves. But the technology could be used to help at-risk animals.

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  8. Neuroscience

    Memory manipulation is the stuff of sci-fi. Someday it could be real

    Experiments point to how scientists can strengthen or weaken memories, which may eventually lead to treatments for Alzheimer’s disease or PTSD.

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  9. Anthropology

    Rare books covered with seal skin hint at a medieval trade network

    The furry seal skins may have made their way to French monasteries from as far away as Greenland.

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