Life

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Life

    A new book captures how genetics fills in the story of life’s evolution

    In Some Assembly Required, paleontologist Neil Shubin explores how genetic analyses complement paleontological research.

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  2. Paleontology

    ‘Wonderchicken’ is the earliest known modern bird at nearly 67 million years old

    A new fossil find, dubbed the Wonderchicken, is a common ancestor of modern ducks and chickens.

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  3. Climate

    How Hurricane Maria’s heavy rains devastated Puerto Rico’s forests

    Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on Puerto Rican forests in some unexpected ways.

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  4. Physics

    How slime mold helped scientists map out the cosmic web

    Tapping a similarity between a slime mold’s lacy web and the vast threads of matter that connect galaxies, astronomers visualized the cosmic web.

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  5. Artificial Intelligence

    An AI that mimics how mammals smell recognizes scents better than other AI

    An artificial intelligence modeled after the neural circuitry in mammalian brains can keep learning new aromas without forgetting others.

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  6. Genetics

    ‘Human Nature’ offers CRISPR novices a basic introduction

    A film that introduces people to CRISPR aims to spark debate about how to use the gene editor.

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  7. Paleontology

    This ancient dinosaur was no bigger than a hummingbird

    The skull of one of these Mesozoic Era birds — the tiniest yet known — was discovered encased in a chunk of amber originally found in Myanmar.

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  8. Science & Society

    New electrodes can better capture brain waves of people with natural hair

    Electrodes weren’t designed for people with thick, curly hair. A redesign is needed, says engineer Pulkit Grover.

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  9. Life

    This is the first deep-sea fish known to be a mouthbreeder

    Scientists found over 500 eggs attached to the inside of a parazen fish’s mouth.

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  10. Animals

    Sea turtles may confuse the smell of ocean plastic with food

    Sea turtles respond to the smell of plastic that’s been in the ocean similarly to food, suggesting the reptiles may end up eating the harmful debris.

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  11. Neuroscience

    Brain waves common during sleep also show up in awake sheep

    Sleep spindles, thought to help solidify memories in people, may do similar work during wakefulness if these daytime ripples occur in humans.

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  12. Animals

    Bright yellow spots help some orb weaver spiders lure their next meal

    Experiments with cardboard arachnids suggest that orb weaver spiders have evolved yellow colorations on their undersides to attract bees and moths.

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