Life

Microbes

Finding living Martians just got a bit more believable

What might a real Martian look like? Scientists have a better idea after identifying a buried liquid lake on the Red Planet.

Animals

Electric currents in the air may cue ‘ballooning’ spiders on when to take off

Some spider species float on the breeze using a parachute of silk. A new study suggests electrical charges in the air help spiders time these flights.

Brain

Scientists Say: Ventral striatum

The ventral striatum is an area of the brain that plays an important role in mood, learning and addiction. It has a lot of dopamine, a chemical messenger.

Animals

Here’s how a clam can hide within a rock

Old boring clam research has been upended after 82 years.

Animals

Toxic toads pose threat to Madagascar’s predators

The Asian common toad, an invasive species in Madagascar, produces a chemical in its skin that’s probably toxic to most of the island’s predators.

Animals

An Asian, self-cloning tick threatens U.S. livestock

The longhorned tick spreads human diseases in its East Asian homeland. Now it’s invaded the United States. There, it has threatened mostly livestock — so far, anyway.

Animals

Here’s what narwhals sound like underwater

Scientists eavesdropped while narwhals clicked and buzzed. The work could help pinpoint how the whales may react to more human noise in the Arctic.

Health & Medicine

Dogs carry a grab bag of flu viruses

Dogs carry a mix of flu viruses, including some that came from pigs. But there’s no reason to worry just yet.

Animals

Scientists Say: Krill

Krill are small crustaceans in the ocean. They are an important food source for other larger animals, and their tiny swimming motions can mix nutrients in the sea.

Animals

These caterpillars are scaring the city of London

The fluffy-haired larvae of the oak processionary moth have a curious behavior, moving in neat, little lines. But the caterpillars pose threats to trees and human health.

Animals

This extinct bird boasted dinosaur-like teeth

Fossil skulls from an ancient bird shows this flyer had a beak — but dino-like chompers to chew through its prey.

Genetics

Scientists Say: Intron

These are sections of DNA that are trimmed out before the DNA is copied RNA and translated into protein. But they still have important jobs to do.