Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Paleontology
Early birds could achieve liftoff
Early birds and other flying dinosaurs had the strong legs and wing speed needed to launch into the air directly from the ground, researchers argue.
- Life
How to make a fish face, and other photo contest winners
The tiny face of a 4-day-old zebrafish embryo snags the top spot in microscopy photography contest.
- Genetics
Ancient hookups gave chimps a smidge of bonobo DNA
Genetic evidence suggests bonobos and chimpanzees interbred after becoming separate species.
- Life
Scientists need to redraw picture of cell’s biggest organelle
A close-up view of the cell’s endoplasmic reticulum reveals a different structure.
- Climate
Climate change shifts how long ants hang on to coveted real estate
Simulated climate warming reveals a new pattern in turnover of ant nests.
- Genetics
HIV came to NYC at least a decade before virus ID’d
DNA analysis of early viral strains tracks U.S. debut to early ’70s
- Animals
With climate change, grizzly bears may hibernate less
New research shows that food availability and weather are driving when grizzly bears enter and exit their dens for hibernation.
- Neuroscience
Frequent liars show less activity in key brain structure
Brain activity changed as people lied more, a new study finds.
- Genetics
DNA data offer evidence of unknown extinct human relative
Melanesians may carry genetic evidence of a previously unknown extinct human relative.
- Life
Virus triggers immune proteins to aid enemy
Virus-fighting proteins in the immune system can sometimes help out their targets instead.
- Animals
Maps show genetic diversity in mammals, amphibians around the world
Maps of genetic diversity within mammal and amphibian species provide a baseline for understanding the effects of human activity and climate change on animals.
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