Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Neuroscience
An on-off switch for eating
By triggering or silencing certain brain cells, scientists can get mice to feed or stop feeding regardless of hunger.
- Life
Newfound biological clocks set by the moon
Two unrelated marine organisms have rhythms dictated by tides, lunar cycle.
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- Plants
Hard-shelled seaweed survives by its loose knees
Stringy joints between calcified algae’s segments don’t break easily under repeated stresses.
- Life
Immune protein explains skin diseases’ link to infection
Molecule called IL-29 protects people with psoriasis from viruses.
- Animals
Vampire reality check
A vampire bat drinks one meal a night, and missing just three nights in a row would probably kill the animal.
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- Paleontology
Dinosaur dreams dashed
Fans of 'Jurassic Park' may be disappointed (or possibly relieved) to learn that you can’t get ancient DNA from amber.
- Life
Killer cells trained on leukemia may protect some people
Immune system seems to remember cancer in people who've never had it, a new study suggests.
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- Neuroscience
Scented naps can dissipate fears
People unlearned an odor's unpleasant accompaniment when they smelled it in their sleep.
- Life
Protein injection triggers vessel repair
Retina blood lines regrow when treated with angiopoietin-1, a new study suggests.
