Life

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- Animals
Prime time for cicadas
Researchers are tracking down why some types of cicadas emerge in vast numbers only once every 17 years.
By Emily Sohn - Fossils
Ancient critter caught shedding Its skin
A fossil reveals that ancient animals shed their skin, just as insects and crustaceans do today.
By Emily Sohn - Brain
Charging up the brain for reading
Some kids can become better readers if they learn how written letters match up with speech sounds.
By Emily Sohn - Ecosystems
Frogs get poison from ants
The skin of some frogs becomes poisonous after they eat certain kinds of ants.
By Emily Sohn - Environment
Alien invasions
Around the world, plants, animals, fungi, and other life forms are ending up in places where they don't belong.
By Emily Sohn - Animals
Noisy boats may bother orcas
Whale watcher boats may be so noisy that killer whales must change their calls to be heard.
By Emily Sohn - Genetics
What makes a dog?
Analyzing dog DNA is helping to explain the origin, behavior, and diseases of dogs.
By Emily Sohn - Animals
Male baboons get mellow
Females may get male baboons to tone down violent behavior and become more cooperative.
By Emily Sohn - Animals
Snagging insects, hummingbird style
A hummingbird has an unexpectedly flexible lower bill to help it catch bugs.
By Emily Sohn - Animals
Ganging up to grab more food
Food-snitching birds may drive wolves to hunt in large packs.
By Emily Sohn - Brain
Grannies give gift of longer life
Kids tend to live longer when a grandmother takes part in their daily lives.
- Animals
Sea otters, kelp, and killer whales
Learning more about sea otters can help rescue the animals and save coastal ecosystems.
By Emily Sohn