Evolution
From Wolf to Woof Twice
Dogs may have been domesticated from wolves twice, first in Europe, and again in Asia. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Stories by Christopher Intagliata
Chemistry
Extreme Life-Forms Could Complicate Carbon Sequestration
Researchers say carbon storage sites should be tested for microbial life, which could potentially convert CO2 to methane—a more potent greenhouse gas. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Biotech
Knee Sounds Give Docs a Leg Up
A wearable device records the sounds of knees cracking, which could reveal clues about the condition of the joint. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Behavior
Candidates Tend to Not Dodge Questions
In an analysis of 14 presidential debate transcripts, two thirds of accusations of question-dodging had no merit. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Evolution
Alliance of Bacterial Strains Disables Antibiotics
Two different antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains have a protective relationship in which each disables a different antibiotic, allowing both to thrive. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Environment
Saharan Dust Brings Bacterial Blooms to the Caribbean
Dust clouds from the Sahara reach the Caribbean—and fertilize waters there when they arrive. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Evolution
Microbe Breaks the Powerhouse Rules
A single-celled organism discovered in chinchilla droppings is the only known eukaryotic organism that lacks mitochondria-like organelles. Christopher Intagliata reports.
EARTH
Farm Fields Release Carbon Mist during Rainstorms
Raindrops eject carbon-based blobs of soil material from wet fields, creating a mist of organic compounds above the soil. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Climate Change
Feed Additive Squelches Ruminants' Methane Belches
A chemical compound can cut a cow's methane emissions by 30 percent—and help the animal get more energy from its food. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Policy
Photos Tagged as Art Linked to Rising Property Prices
Researchers found that neighborhoods with a higher proportion of Flickr photos tagged "art" saw a higher spike in property prices. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Conservation
Traces of Pharmaceuticals Dwell in Wastewater-Grown Veggies
Volunteers who ate veggies grown in wastewater had higher (but still safe) levels of an epilepsy drug in their urine, compared with subjects who ate freshwater-grown veggies. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Behavior
Lower Your Voice Pitch to Persuade
Study volunteers whose voices deepened during a group debate tended to be more influential and convincing. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Cognition
This Primate's Calls Obey a Linguistic Law
The vocalizations of the gelada, a baboon relative, appear to follow a linguistic rule called Menzerath's law. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Chemistry
Microbots Get the Lead Out--of Wastewater
Millions of tiny graphene robots can propel themselves through wastewater and scavenge heavy metals. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Biotech
Transforming Stem Cells into Diabetes Beaters
Pancreatic type beta cells produced from stem cells can sense glucose, release insulin and treat a mouse model of diabetes. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Medicine
Choir Practice Could Lower Stress in Cancer Patients
A cancer center in the U.K. found that patients had significantly lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after harmonizing for an hour. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Space & Physics
Crater Bottoms Could Be Cradles of Martian Life
Four billion years ago asteroids and comets could have melted the Martian cryosphere, and started up hydrothermal springs—a potential hotspot for ancient microbial life. Christopher Intagliata reports...
Computing
Cellular Circuit Computes with DNA
Researchers have created what they call the first "programming language" for cells, which compiles code into a genetic circuit. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Biology
City Birds Outwit Country Counterparts
Birds that live in urban environments are brasher than rural birds, solve problems better and even have more robust immune systems. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Space & Physics
Quasar Winds Clock In at a Fifth of Light Speed
Quasars can shape the evolution of their galaxies, by blasting 135-million-mph winds. Christopher Intagliata reports.
