Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Parkinson’s protein comes in fours
A better understanding of alpha-synuclein's structure could lead to ways of treating or preventing the disease.
- Humans
Big fish return to Mexican marine park
Most effects of overharvesting reversed within a decade.
- Life
Plants and fungi recognize generous trading partners
Rewards — and consequences — stabilize underground biological market in mutualistic relationships.
- Life
Paper wasps help out for their own good
Behavior that appears altruistic actually benefits number one.
- Paleontology
Sea monsters made great mothers
Fossilized plesiosaur with fetus suggests ancient reptiles cared for their young.
- Chemistry
Meteorites contain chemicals linked to life
Space rocks could have delivered DNA building blocks to Earth.
- Life
Rare gene variants linked to ADHD
Missing or added genes cause attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other disorders, such as autism.
- Life
Common virus may ride up nose to brain
Almost everyone is infected, but in some people a widespread herpes bug appears to reach the central nervous system by an olfactory route.
- Life
Bacteria binged on BP oil but didn’t grow
Researchers suspect the spilled crude didn’t provide a balanced diet.
- Life
Genes & Cells
Lung infections, stress effects in the womb and the genetics of stomach cancer in this week’s news.
- Life
How exercise benefits nerve cells
Activity stimulates production of a neural insulation that moves messages faster.
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