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Science & Society

Human ancestors threw spears

Who threw first? Scientists had long believed that ancient people who lived 80,000 years ago were the first to throw spears with stone tips. But the discovery of 279,000-year-old stone spear tips in Ethiopia pushes that date back, and suggests prehuman species hunted with spears too.

Science & Society

Bigger groups make better tools

As the size of a population grows, so too does its ability to quickly create clever new tools. Lab experiments suggest that connections between people give rise to the new creations.

Life

Caught in the act

Scientists observe some evolutionary speed demons as they adapt over the course of just a few years to new environmental conditions.

Fossils

Early tyrannosaurs would have feared this predator

A newfound dinosaur fossil appears to explain why ancestors of T. rex didn’t begin their growth in size — and dominance — any earlier than they did.

Brain

Inheriting fear

Scared of something and don’t know why? Maybe your parents or grandparents passed along their fear to you, a new mouse study suggests.

Animals

Mimicking mussels’ muscle

People who seek to get a grip on something — especially in wet environments — might want to take a lesson from some common shellfish. Among those who might benefit most: surgeons.

Health & Medicine

New problem linked to ‘jet lag’

The body’s internal clock can be thrown off when people alter their day and night routines. That mix-up may lead to a buildup of immune cells that can cause inflammation, according to a new study on mice.

Animals

Koalas’ very deep voice

Serenading males can sing some surprisingly low notes, and scientists have just uncovered how they do it.