Life

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Life

    Two-mommy bird nests

    Researchers have found an unexpected number of two-female nests in Oahu’s bird colony.

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  2. Life

    Shoot-out superhero claws

    Hidden spurs cut through frog’s own skin to rip attackers.

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  3. Ecosystems

    That sinking feeling

    The sea level rise expected in the coming century will swamp the Everglades unless current management is adjusted or climate change is curbed.

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  4. Ecosystems

    Better than a local lady

    Orchids lure male pollinators by mimicking the scent of out-of-town female bees.

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  5. Life

    Fly fountain of youth

    Hanging out with young, healthy flies helps fruit flies with a mutation that causes neurodegeneration live longer.

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  6. Life

    BOOK LIST | Finding Home

    For young readers, the story of a koala who survived a brush fire. Charlesbridge, 2008, 16 p., $15.95. FINDING HOME

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  7. Ecosystems

    BOOK LIST | Trees, Truffles, and Beasts: How Forests Function

    An argument that simple policies will not save complex forests.Rutgers Univ. Press, 2008, 280 p., $26.95 (paperback). TREES, TRUFFLES, AND BEASTS: HOW FORESTS FUNCTION

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  8. Math

    Detangling DNA

    DNA can form some very nasty knots — but not just any knots.

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  9. Animals

    How they shine

    Iridescence could be pretty meaningful—or maybe just pretty.

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  10. Earth

    Audubon’s insect cafeteria

    Sidebar: Insects.

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  11. Health & Medicine

    Insects (the original white meat)

    Dining on insects, usually more by choice than necessity, occurs in at least 100 countries — and may be better than chicken for both people and the environment.

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  12. Animals

    Pandamonium over a Tiny Pest

    A parasite threatens efforts to protect China's endangered icon.

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