I’ve Got Your Missing Links Right Here (01 August 2015)
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Top picks
A new illness or mass hysteria? The village in Kazakhstan where people fall asleep for days. Incredible story by Sarah Topol.
One of the big myths: scientists know how drugs work. By Carolyn Johnson
Hospital checklists are meant to save lives — so why do they often fail? By Emily Anthes
Fantastic piece by Christie Wilcox into the four-legged snake fossil that I covered last week, including the ethical snakepit that it crawled into.
A rare condition causes Joel Salinas to experience other people’s emotions and sensations. Is mirror-touch synesthesia a superpower or a curse? By Erika Hayasaki
“Every means of confession creates a kind of person who confesses. “An essay on Fitbit and productivity tracking, by Moira Weigel.
The case of the night vision eyedrops “showed how biohacking works, and where it all falls apart”. By Rose Eveleth, who also has another piece out on the missing women futurists.
Cancer cells as cheaters in the game of life. By George Johnson
American dentist killed Cecil the lion, and triggers an online storm. Henry Nicholls interviews a conservationist who studied Cecil, and David Shiffman and Brigid Hains wrote some good pieces.
“It is so important for that empty chair to be there, so all of us who stay silent for whatever reason can know there is a place, waiting for us, if and when we are ready.” Roxane Gay on New York Magazine’s incredible cover and Bill Cosby
Science/news/writing
The Case for Fetal-Cell Research
Tornado wrecks town, infects the survivors with mysterious fungus.
“The discovery was made by analysing videos of ants carrying oversized food items, including Cheerios.”
Only 4 northern white rhinos left.
Buzzfeed vs some common tanning myths
Pluto: a world that’s evolving in slow motion, with nitrogen glaciers, and dark organic rain.
Car-sized ball of squid eggs off the coast of Turkey
Some people feel music so strongly, the experience is almost sexual
Crumb of mouse brain reconstructed in full detail
How to avoid a salamander apocalypse.
Uganda chimpanzees are binge eating clay to make up for the loss of a mineral-rich food plant.
Blueface, the masked seducer: a new species of peacock spider
Live Anthrax Was Shipped To 192 Labs (+ Counting) And Congress Is Pissed
A double review of ‘Life’s Greatest Secret’ by Matthew Cobb and ‘The Vital Question’ by Nick Lane
Oh, nothing, just a hyena carrying off the disembodied head of a lion. It’s the ciiiiiiiiiiircle of life.
From stem cells to 3D-printed nipples, breast reconstruction is constantly evolving
If scientists used droplets of fat to turn cells into lasers, this fried breakfast will give me heat vision, right?
Researchers are going a little bug-eyed trying to improve robot vision
This butterfly “avoids flowers, preferring rotting animal corpses, faeces, mud puddles – and even human sweat.”
The reign of the terror birds
Biologists led by Pamela Ronald make good by producing right result after high-profile retraction
Snow leopard, manta rays, and other endangered species to be projected onto the Empire State Building on Saturday.
How did you get that job: designing a parachute for NASA’s Mars rover
Golden jackal: A new wolf species hiding in plain view
Things like Fieldworkfail are where science Twitter really comes into its own: good-humoured, community-building joy
The wonderful David George Haskell on the moon moth
Our Absurd Creature of the Week is a two-foot-wide sea star that’s basically a bear trap
“This will go down in history as one of those hallmark public health efforts.” The Ebola vaccine trial proves 100% successful in Guinea
Swedish blood donors now get a text when their blood helps someone
Heh/wow/huh
Brits Tried To Guess The Cost Of American Healthcare And Got Really Confused
My life as a introvert
Man creates moving tribute to late grandfather by hand-drawing every single item in his shed
A gif of the Aurora Borealis from the International Space Station
Internet/journalism/society
The Tragedy of iTunes and Classical Music
Overspill: The adblocking revolution is months away
“Thomas couldn’t be doing anything that could be perceived by children as evil Thomas”
Humans are indeed underrated compared to machines
This fungus eats the butts off cicadas but “cicadas don’t seem too bothered, continuing about their short existence as if losing your butt is totally normal”
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Animals
- Orangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first timeOrangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first time
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- This fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then dieThis fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then die
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
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Environment
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- How fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitionsHow fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitions
- Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here's why.Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here's why.
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
History & Culture
- Meet the ruthless king who unified the Kingdom of Hawai'iMeet the ruthless king who unified the Kingdom of Hawai'i
- Hawaii's Lei Day is about so much more than flowersHawaii's Lei Day is about so much more than flowers
- When treasure hunters find artifacts, who gets to keep them?When treasure hunters find artifacts, who gets to keep them?
Science
- Why ovaries are so crucial to women’s health and longevityWhy ovaries are so crucial to women’s health and longevity
- Orangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first timeOrangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first time
- Should you be concerned about bird flu in your milk?Should you be concerned about bird flu in your milk?
Travel
- On this Croatian peninsula, traditions are securing locals' futuresOn this Croatian peninsula, traditions are securing locals' futures
- Are Italy's 'problem bears' a danger to travellers?Are Italy's 'problem bears' a danger to travellers?
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