IN THE LAB
Each Species Sings A Song Of Silence
The silent gaps between birdsong syllables can help tell one bird species from the other, showing that there is information in silence.
Scientists Identify ‘Glutton’ Neurons In Fly Brains
Taotie neurons, named after an insatiable Chinese orge, serve as the master center of feeding behavior in fruit fly brains.
Water Striders Know How To Maximize Their Jumps
Researchers have found that water striders can adjust their jump speed to just below a critical threshold where surface tension would break.
The Unexpected Slimming Effect Of Sweet Potato Waste
Proteins in wastewater from sweet potato processing have been found to reduce fat levels and weight in mice.
The Secret Of The Stradivarius Is (Partly) In The Wood
Chemical treatments to prevent rotting might be behind the highly sought after sound of a Stradivarius violin.
How An Amino Acid Can Control A Plants’ Breath
Plant scientists have demonstrated how a type of amino acid helps to regulate the opening and closing of tiny plant pores called stomata.
East Asian Dust Storms Linked To Algal Blooms
Dust storms like the one that hit China in 2010 dump iron into the oceans, sparking massive algal blooms.
Maintaining The Delicate Balance In The Eyes
Scientists have identified the enzyme that maintains the balance between two key processes that control the size of light-sensitive membranes in the eyes.
Slow Seahorses Evolve Unexpectedly Quickly
The secret to the seahorse’s unique features lie in its rapidly evolving genome, researchers say.
