Life

Sign up for our newsletter

We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Genetics

    Catalog of DNA modifications produces surprises

    A map of chemical modifications of DNA and its associated proteins shows how the genome changes during development and disease.

    By
  2. Neuroscience

    Blame pot munchies on nerve cells that normally nix appetite

    Pot munchies demystified: Marijuana hijacks fullness nerve cells, making them send hunger signals instead.

    By
  3. Life

    Insulin-suppressing hormone discovered

    A newly discovered hormone suppresses insulin production and secretion in fruit flies and maybe in humans.

    By
  4. Neuroscience

    Bipolar risk boosted by accumulation of rare versions of genes

    A buildup of rare versions of genes that control nerve cell activity contributes to the genetic risk of bipolar disorder.

    By
  5. Ecosystems

    Fooled you! Whirling tails of luna moths deflect bat attacks

    Luna moths can use their tails to reflect the echolocation pings of bats, tricking the predators into striking the tails instead of less expendable body parts.

    By
  6. Environment

    A coast-to-coast picture of America’s cacophony of sounds

    The National Park Service mapped noise across the United States.

    By
  7. Genetics

    For penguins, it’s a matter of no taste

    Penguins lack taste genes for bitter, sweet and umami.

    By
  8. Genetics

    Ebola virus evolution tracked by genetic data

    Analysis of Ebola genomes shows how the virus has evolved and some of the mutations that may thwart treatments.

    By
  9. Life

    To deal with sexual conflict, female bedbugs get flexible

    Female bed bugs evolved an elastic underbelly to tolerate violent mating, a new study suggests.

    By
  10. Neuroscience

    Chronic pain treatments may get boost from high-tech imaging

    Advanced imaging may reveal how well chronic pain treatments work.

    By
  11. Animals

    Fertile hermit crabs turn shy

    Male hermit crabs that aren’t carrying much sperm are bolder than their more fertile brethren, a new study finds.

    By
  12. Paleontology

    Earliest tree-dweller, burrower join mammal tree of life

    Fossils show mammal ancestors did a lot more than cower in dinosaurs’ shadows.

    By