Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Plants
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday at a new state flower exhibit
Stop and smell America’s state flowers at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., open now through October 12, 2026.
- Life
Cows’ methane burps may be fueled by a newfound organelle in gut microbes
In cows’ guts, ciliates contain a tiny organelle called a hydrogenobody that may drive production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
- Genetics
Ancient DNA tests the notion that allergies are due to our dirtier past
An analysis of ancient DNA and modern disease risk suggests some immune genes may reduce allergy risk rather than increase it.
- Animals
Giant, kraken-like octopuses may have ruled the Cretaceous deep
Some octopuses that lived over 72 million years ago were as long as whales. These huge predators may have been the largest invertebrates ever.
- Plants
Some plants can feed on dust that lands on their leaves
A new study offers evidence from natural shrubland that leaves, not just roots, can take up nutrients from deposited dust.
- Neuroscience
Imagination is not just replaying what we see and hear
The findings differ from prior work, showing it's tough to disentangle how similarly our brains register imagined thoughts and real sensations.
- Microbes
How climate change may increase antibiotic resistance
Rising heat and drought may spur bacteria to exchange antibiotic resistance genes, with potential risks to human health.
- Animals
Humidity makes these bees turn green
North American sweat bees change color depending on the surrounding humidity. It might be a more widespread phenomenon among insects.
- Health & Medicine
Beyond Inheritance offers a new view of mutations
In her debut book, science writer Roxanne Khamsi offers a new view of mutations that’s not limited to birth and death.
- Oceans
Got pesky, invasive corals? Blast ‘em away with air guns
Compressed air bids bye-bye to invasive sun corals in Brazil. The blasts obliterated soft tissue and fragments couldn't regenerate.
- Animals
This kea parrot is the first-known disabled alpha male
With half a beak, Bruce has developed an innovative fighting style that has won the kea top status in his flock, videos and documented interactions reveal.
- Animals
An endangered mouse may need a helping hand to adapt to climate change
Pacific pocket mice are geographically isolated, but the species may retain the genetic diversity needed to adapt to climate change.
