Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Chemistry
Earth’s ‘boring billion’ years blamed on sulfur-loving microbes
A new study suggests these organisms could have kept oxygen levels low and waters toxic, stalling the evolution of complex life.
- Paleontology
Parasite may have felled a mighty T. rex
An infection known to afflict modern birds may have led to starvation in several dinosaurs.
- Paleontology
Fish death, mammal extinction and tiny dino footprints
Paleontologists in Bristol, England, at the annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology report on fish fossils in Wyoming, the loss of Australia’s megafauna and the smallest dinosaur tracks.
- Life
Better sensing through empty receptors
A new model suggests cells may be more sensitive to their environment than previously thought.
- Paleontology
Feather-covered dinosaur fossils found
Scientists have uncovered a feather-laden, peacock-sized dinosaur that predates the oldest known bird.
- Life
Enter the Virosphere
As evidence of the influence of viruses escalates, appreciation of these master manipulators grows.
- Earth
Protected whales found in Japan’s supermarkets
Toothless Asian whales find themselves being protected by fairly toothless regulations.
- Ecosystems
Eels on the move
Study tracks European eels for the first 1,300 kilometers of their migration.
- Animals
Spider men weave silken tapestry
It took herculean effort, but Madagascar crafters created an extraordinary piece of woven art from spider silk.
- Paleontology
King of the ancient seas
Paleontologists discover fossilized skeleton of bus-sized marine reptile that had teeth with serrated edges.
- Chemistry
Changing charges make for squid rainbow
Study finds how proteins self assemble in the cells of Loligo squid to reflect different wavelengths of light
- Math
Math mimics hard-to-heal wounds
New model may lead to better treatments for chronic, blood-deprived sores
