I’ve Got Your Missing Links Right Here (2 May 2015)
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Top picks
Great story: On the unexpected brewing war between astronomers and robot lawnmowers.
Four areas of debate over CRISPR-edited embryos examined by stem cell biologist Paul Knoepfler
How camera film was optimised for white skin colour. A great piece on insidious influences on our technology.
If Dr Doolittle was a surgeon, he’d be Peter Emily. Alex Halperin profiles “The Lion Dentist”.
Sophie Scott’s TED talk on the science of laughter is up, and hilarious. Meanwhile, Sarah Larson talks about how we write laughter.
“Science needs a new ritual.” Ben Lillie reflects on the fracas between native Hawaiians and astronomers
Breaking the communication barrier between dolphins and humans. Joshua Foer on dolphin intelligence, for National Geographic
“In Australia, public opposition is growing toward programs that seek to kill sharks, even after fatal bites on humans.” Ceridwen Dovey on sharing the world with sharks.
The remarkable story of how Syrians saved an ancient seedbank from civil war. By Lizzie Wade
The mystery of the Crazy Tentacled Caterpillar! By Nadia Drake
Magnificent Aerial Footage of Antarctica by Kalle Ljung
“The skin did not come off like a sweater, as I’d been told it would.” Thoughtful piece by Amanda Giracca on the fading art of butchery.
I highly recommend Ben Garrod’s new show, Secrets of Bones. A great wildlife documentary by a great presenter. Informative, intelligent, and a lot of fun.
Science/news/writing
Urine For A Surprise: Your Pee Might Reveal Your Risk For Obesity
The new bat-winged dinosaur, Yi qi, has the shortest scientific name on record, tied with an actual bat, Ia io
A large, flesh-eating shrew dominated Europe, then inexplicably vanished
First results from psychology’s largest reproducibility test
You’re worrying about the wrong bees.
The next step in saving the planet: E O Wilson and Sean Carroll in conversation
Stem cells pass safety test in vision-loss trial
Personalized Devices Predict Cancer Drug Response
“If you haven’t heard of chikungunya yet, don’t worry: You will.”
“A study shows that the hippocampus selects which information to send, and where, during different behaviors.”
Report Says American Psychological Association Collaborated on Torture Justification
Dodos entombed in “poisonous fecal cocktail”
Huge study finds no increase in real autism prevalence despite increasing diagnoses
Some leaf-cutter ants use acid to fight fungal outbreaks
DNA testing helps brewers find unwanted bacteria in beer vats
A review of Nick Lane’s brilliant book, The Vital Question
In 1965, this young MD became the first person to call the Tuskegee Study wrong and unethical
An Atlas of the Bacteria and Fungi that Americans Breathe Every Day
One of paleontology’s most famous fossil gaps is closing
Cravings are not really about what your body needs in most cases.
Ants Swarm Like Brains Think: A neuroscientist studies ant colonies to understand feedback in the brain
Mammoths had trunk mittens.
Did Nepal Earthquake Change Mount Everest’s Height?
Carl Zimmer vs. Gattaca
Climate change threatens 1 in 6 species
Bats use a super sense of touch to fly with precision
Bright lights in harbours attract ‘fouling’ aquatic creatures and repel others
Upcoming BBC series challenges views on sharks
Peer reviewer to two women scientists: “Find a male co-author.” Christ.
The awkward state of penguin molting
Too few science stories “tell a tale that someone in a position of power would prefer not to see published”
These iguanas are turning to cannibalism in the face of drought:
US farms have been devastated by bird flu – but a vaccine might make things worse
People who’ve never heard Western music don’t find “Psycho” theme scary or minor chords sad
Heh/wow/huh
Stunning Nature Footage Edit Set to “Hello Tomorrow”
GWAS Study Finds Increased Risk Of Death Among Older People
Delusional Man Turning Off Laptop Like He’s Done With It For Night
Journalism/internet/society
“Some people do yoga. Others meditate. These days, there are those who walk labyrinths.”
Fascinating Satellite Photos of Seaweed Farms in South Korea
“The images also clearly show [Pluto] and its mega-moon Charon whirling around a point in the space between them“
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park