Evolution
Flowers Deceive Flies with Chemical Cocktail
The parachute flower smells like alarm pheromones of a honeybee, to attract tiny flies that feed on bees under attack.
Stories by Christopher Intagliata
Policy
Gender Influences Recommendations for Science Jobs
Female applicants to postdoctoral positions in geosciences were nearly half as likely to receive excellent letters of recommendation, compared with their male counterparts. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Climate Change
Arctic Pollinator Faces Uncertain Future
A housefly relative appears to be key to the reproductive success of a hardy tundra shrub. But the insect is threatened by the warming climate. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Biology
Some Malaria Mosquitoes May Prefer Cows to Us
A chromosomal rearrangement may cause one mosquito species to be lured to cows instead of humans for a blood meal. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Public Health
Drunk People Feel Soberer around Heavy Drinkers
Drinkers surrounded by even more inebriated people feel less drunk than a breathalyzer test indicates they actually are. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Space & Physics
Photonic Chip Could Strengthen Smartphone Encryption
The chip uses pulses of laser light to generate truly random numbers, the basis of encryption. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Biology
Protein Test Could Complement Crime Scene DNA Analysis
Researchers determined that the variation of a couple hundred proteins in a person's hair could be enough to single her out from one million individuals. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Public Health
Shark Fins Contain Toxic "One–Two Punch"
Sharks can accumulate both methylmercury and a toxin called BMAA, which can have synergistic effects on human consumers. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Public Health
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program Actually Promotes It
Teenage girls who cared for infant dolls, an intervention meant to prevent pregnancy, actually had a higher risk of getting pregnant by age 20. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Environment
Waste Amphetamines Alter Underwater Ecosystems
Using an artificial stream system, researchers found that amphetamine residues altered insect and microbial life in aquatic ecosystems. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Public Health
A Green Solution to Improve Indoor Air Quality
In 12 hours Dracaena plants removed nearly all the acetone from an airtight chamber, suggesting they might be put to use as air filters in nail salons. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Behavior
Voters Are Seldom Swayed by Local Campaign Stops
A survey during the 2012 election found that bus tours and visits to greasy spoons didn't do much to change voter opinions. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Biotech
Listen to the Sounds of Knees Cracking
Eavesdropping on the creaks and groans of an athlete’s knee could help doctors track healing after injury or surgery.
Space & Physics
Model Black Hole Re-Creates Stephen Hawking Prediction
A black hole analogue, which traps sound instead of light, generates "Hawking radiation," a key prediction by the theoretical physicist. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Computing
Remote Door Controls Are Car Security Flaw
Researchers found that a bad actor could cheaply and easily clone a remote keyless entry system to gain entry. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Environment
Pesticides Act as Honeybee Contraceptives
Environmental concentrations of certain insecticides slashed honeybee drones' living sperm counts. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Neuroscience
Inbred Songbirds Croon out of Tune
Inbred canaries sang songs with less pure tones, and at slightly different pitches, than their outbred cousins—and female canaries seemed to be able to tell the difference. ...
Biology
For Lichens, 3's Not a Crowd
Biologists have identified a third species—a yeast—in some lichens, shaking up what's always been known as a two-party system. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Public Health
Chicken Scent Deters Malaria Mosquitoes
The smell of a chicken wards off one species of malaria-spreading mosquito—meaning the scent compounds, or the birds themselves, might help deter disease. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Climate Change
Fuel-Efficient Engines Have a Sooty Flaw
A newer type of fuel injection offers better fuel economy, but paradoxically increases black carbon emissions—meaning a pollution trade-off. Christopher Intagliata reports.
