Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Anthropology
Humans, birds communicate to collaborate
Bird species takes hunter-gatherers to honeybees’ nests when called on.
- Genetics
Evolution of gut bacteria tracks splits in primate species
Primates and microbes have been splitting in sync for at least 10 million years.
- Neuroscience
Antibiotics might fight Alzheimer’s plaques
A new study found that antibiotics hit Alzheimer’s plaques in the brains of mice.
- Animals
To douse hot hives, honeybee colonies launch water squadrons
The whole superorganism of a honeybee colony has sophisticated ways of cooling down.
- Animals
Some primates prefer nectar with a bigger alcohol kick
Aye-ayes and slow lorises may be able to discern the alcohol content of boozy nectar and go for more potent drinks.
- Neuroscience
New brain map most detailed yet
By combining different types of data, researchers have drawn a new detailed map of the human brain.
- Animals
Tiny ants move a ton of soil
For the first time, scientists have quantified how much soil ants move underground.
- Genetics
Swapping analogous genes no problem among species
Many genes are interchangeable between yeast, bacteria, plants and humans.
- Genetics
Herbicide no match for fruit flies’ gut microbes
Friendly gut bacteria team up to break down herbicide that might otherwise harm fruit flies.
- Health & Medicine
No one-fits-all healthy diet exists
Mice’s response to diet varies with their genes.
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- Science & Society
GM mosquitoes succeed at reducing dengue, company says
GM mosquito releases in Brazil have helped cut dengue cases 91 percent in a year.
