Life
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FossilsThe real sea monsters
No known dinosaurs lived in the oceans. But there were lots of big aquatic reptiles that were every bit as ferocious and awesome.
By Sid Perkins -
FossilsNew analysis halves massive dino’s weight
No question about it, Dreadnoughtus schrani was enormous. But a new estimate concludes this dino weighed just half as much as first thought.
By Meghan Rosen -
AnimalsThese spiders can purr
This wolf spider can purr like no other. It makes vibrations and sounds to tell a female he’s interested in her.
By Karl Gruber -
AnimalsThis endangered species gives new meaning to ‘single mom’
Scientists have found DNA evidence that in the wild, sawfish have produced offspring without mating. That’s a first for an animal with a backbone.
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FossilsThat’s no dino!
Not all ancient reptiles were dinosaurs. Some soared, many swam the seas and still others looked like dinos—but actually weren’t.
By Sid Perkins -
Health & MedicineA germ stopper for blood products
A new system can disable almost all viruses or bacteria that are lurking in donated blood platelets and plasma.
By Tara Haelle -
Health & MedicineMERS virus hits South Korea hard
MERS — a killer viral disease — emerged for the first time only three years ago. That was in the Middle East. Now it has spread to Asia.
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LifeExplainer: What is a virus?
Viruses cause many of the world’s common diseases. These germs reproduce by hijacking the cells of their host.
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AnimalsBiowarfare saves bats from killer fungus
Good news for bats. Those infected with white-nose syndrome may be cured by a brief exposure to fumes from therapeutic bacteria.
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GeneticsAltered gene leaves people totally painfree
That’s not a good thing for these people. Still, it could lead to a new class of drugs to help people who now suffer from chronic pain.
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FossilsFossil find adds a relative to our family tree
Lucy is the best known of our early ancestors. Now, a new fossil from Ethiopia suggests a second pre-human species lived alongside her kind.
By Bruce Bower -
AnimalsScientists Say: Autopsy and Necropsy
Sometimes when animals die, they need to be investigated. These examinations have two special names. One is for people, the other for non-human animals.