Life
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
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LifeLone Star cats rescue cousins in Sunshine State
Florida panther numbers have tripled since the introduction of females from Texas injected vital genetic diversity, a new report says.
By Susan Milius -
LifeX-rays in 3-D show nanosized details
A new X-ray microscope technique peers inside materials to reveal their inner nature.
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Health & MedicineMain malaria parasite came to humans from gorillas, not chimps
Using DNA from fecal samples, researchers show that the infection was not passed to Homo sapiens by its closest primate relative.
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Health & MedicineVital flaw
Liver cells that inherit the wrong number of chromosomes often do just fine, and may even have some advantages.
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LifeFlies off-kilter
In a newly described species, some males have one limb bigger than the other.
By Susan Milius -
Planetary ScienceLife’s cold start
Primordial molecules could have replicated themselves in a slushy place, new experiments suggest.
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LifeMinimolecule may explain how antidepressants work
Research finds that Prozac increases levels of a microRNA and may explain why the drugs take several weeks to work.
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LifeStreetlights turn young duds into studs
Nocturnal illumination starts youthful male blue tits chirping earlier in the morning, tempting the mates of their still-snoozing elders.
By Susan Milius -
AgricultureA taste of the chocolate genome
Competing teams have announced the impending completion of the cacao DNA sequence.
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LifeEnvironmental DNA modifications tied to obesity
Chemical changes that affect gene activity could underlie many common conditions, a new study suggests.
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LifeCuckoos thrown off by climate change
With earlier springs, the birds are duping a different mix of adoptive parents into raising their young.
By Susan Milius -
LifeDoing their part by not doing their part
Freeloaders can be good for a community, yeast experiments suggest.