Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Ecosystems
Volcanic eruptions nearly snuffed out Gentoo penguin colony
Penguin poop dumps data on how a Gentoo colony responded to ancient volcanic eruptions.
- Genetics
Gene knockouts in people provide drug safety, effectiveness clues
People naturally lacking certain genes give clues about drug safety and efficacy, a study in Pakistanis shows.
- Life
Cells’ stunning complexity on display in a new online portal
A new online explorer tool from the Allen Institute for Cell Science shows 3-D models of cell interiors.
- Climate
The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing a major coral bleaching event right now
A second coral bleaching event has struck the Great Barrier Reef in 12 months, new observations reveal, raising concerns about the natural wonder’s future.
- Paleontology
Bedbugs bugged prehistoric humans, too
Scientists have found the oldest known specimens of bedbug relatives in an Oregon cave system where ancient humans once lived.
- Humans
Scientists seek early signs of autism
The search for autism biomarkers, in the blood and the brain, is heating up.
- Health & Medicine
Genetic risk of getting second cancer tallied for pediatric survivors
Inherited mutations, not only treatment, affect the chances that a childhood cancer survivor will develop a second cancer later in life.
- Health & Medicine
Common virus may be celiac disease culprit
A common virus may turn the immune system against gluten, leading to the development of celiac disease.
- Genetics
Cephalopods may have traded evolution gains for extra smarts
Editing RNA may give cephalopods smarts, but there’s a trade-off.
- Health & Medicine
Readers question mental health research
Maintaining mental health, protecting ocean critters and more in reader feedback.
- Life
CRISPR had a life before it became a gene-editing tool
Before it was a tool, CRISPR was a weapon in the never-ending war between microbes and viruses
- Animals
First fluorescent frogs might see each others’ glow
A polka dot frog, the first known fluorescent amphibian, may get a visibility boost in twilight and moonlight.
