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Biology

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Rare Crane Gets a Prosthetic Leg, Joins Hoard of Amazing Animal Prosthesis Users

Animal prosthetics are far behind our human blades, but they’re making strides

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Nobody Chews Like You Chew

There are a few things that are distinct to every person—her fingerprints, voice, particular way of walking, and, it turns out, the way she chews

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Night Owl And Early Bird Teens Think Differently

Night owls score higher than morning people on general intelligence, but morning people get better grades

Are You Here on Earth Just to Make Babies?

If so, what does that really mean for what we do each day, our culture and our society?

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Scientists Published Henrietta Lacks’ Genome Without the Consent of Her Family

Author Rebecca Skloot argues that society is not ready for full genetic disclosures of individuals

A reconstruction of Daisy Morris’ dinosaur, Vectidraco daisymorrisae

Five-Year-Old Girl Discovers Fossil of Previously Unknown Pterosaur

A brand new pterosaur and a 300-million year old crab, the fossil finds of kids

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Problem Solved: The Egg Came First

Time to find a new brain teaser - the chicken and egg question has been solved. The egg wins

Various iterations of the Müller-Lyer Illusion. For most people reading this, the bottom lines will seem longer than the top, despite being the same length.

Are Optical Illusions Cultural?

People from around the world respond to optical illusions different. But why?

This cicada is part of Brood XIX, a 13-year recurrent swarm from the southern US.

After 17 Years, the Northeast Is About to Be Blanketed by a Swarm of Cicadas

An inch and a half long with bright red eyes, the swarm of Brood II cicadas is coming

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People Can Accurately Read Dogs’ Facial Expressions

Interestingly, people who do not own dogs were a bit better at accurately labeling canine emotions than people who do own dogs

Ecotourists Have Changed Stingrays’ Behavior—And Not for the Better

There might be a dark side to the so-called “interactive ecotourism” business

This cliff swallow has built a nest beneath a road.

Are Birds Evolving to Avoid Cars?

New research suggests that perhaps, for some animals, evolution might be kicking in and helping birds adapt to avoid cars

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New Set of Patients May Be Cured of HIV With Early Treatment

Researchers announce that they have cured fourteen adults of HIV by treating them early

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Beautiful Monarch Butterflies Basically Aren’t Migrating Anymore

Over the past two years, the migration has shrunk by nearly 60 percent, the latest in a long-term plummet

Space suits might not be this sexy, but sex is space is bound to happen.

Are We Ready to Have Babies in Space?

As technology progresses, and people talk seriously about trips to Mars or other planets, the questions of love and sex in space become more pressing

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Zoos Play Canned Lion Roars to Placate Human Visitors

People love visiting the lions at zoos; the problem is that lions sleep most of the day

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The U.S. Is Stocking Drugs for a Hypothetical Smallpox Bio-Attack

In the event of a bio-terrorism smallpox attack, at least 2 million Americans will be able to get treatment, though we can all receive vaccinations

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Resurrecting Extinct Species Is Conservation’s Next Frontier

Some of the world’s experts in endangered and extinct species will gather for a conference aimed at figuring out the who, what, when and where behind resurrecting extinct species

Cannibals of the Past Had Plenty of Reasons to Eat People

For a long time cannibalism was a survival technique, a cultural practice, and a legitimate source of protein

Lake Vostok has been cut off from the environment for ages beneath the thick Antarctic ice.

Brand New, Never Before Seen Bacteria Found in Frozen Antarctic Lake—Maybe

Scientists are revealing, then recanting, then reaffirming their claim to have discovered a new type of bacteria

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