Animals laugh too, analysis of vocalization data suggests

Human laughter is common, but it's a somewhat mysterious part of our evolution. It's clear to evolutionary scholars that we laugh as a part of play, signaling our cooperation or friendliness. But how did laughter evolve? ...

Physicists describe new type of aurora

For millennia, humans in the high latitudes have been enthralled by auroras—the northern and southern lights. Yet even after all that time, it appears the ethereal, dancing ribbons of light above Earth still hold some secrets.

Crucial action needed for coral reefs

An international group of scientific experts co-directed by CNRS oceanographer Jean-Pierre Gattuso has stated the requirements for coral reef survival in an article published in Biological Conservation. Over 500 million people ...

Bacteria use enzymes to defuse the immune system

These enzymes are of use to bacteria in two very different ways: to obtain food and to protect them from your body's immune system. Dr. Fatemeh Askarian at NMBU has discovered that these enzymes promote the ability of multi-drug ...

Anticancer compound found in monsoon-season delicacy

A small-branched shrub found in India known locally as Moddu Soppu (Justicia wynaadensis) is used to make a sweet dish during the monsoon season by the inhabitants of Kodagu district in Karanataka exclusively during the monsoons. ...

Video: What is life? And will we find it on other planets?

Chemistry is helping us figure out how life got started on Earth and is giving us molecules to look for on other planets. In this episode of Reactions, we break down what "life" is and how likely we are to find it out in ...

Lasers create miniature robots from bubbles

Robots are widely used to build cars, paint airplanes and sew clothing in factories, but the assembly of microscopic components, such as those for biomedical applications, has not yet been automated. Lasers could be the solution. ...

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