Notebook

A study suggests that the direct transfer of DNA methylation marks from one generation to the next is much less common than scientists previously thought.

The blue lagoons of the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin provide a glimpse into the planet’s ancient past.

A finding pushes back the timeline on humankind’s conquest of one of Earth’s harshest environments, and may provide clues about interactions with their hominin relatives.

Birds drifting on the surface of the sea could provide valuable data for oceanographers.

Researchers develop an app that can estimate the biological age of a rodent from its mug shot—and could give a boost to the science of human aging in the process.

With genetic tweaks, researchers can coax corn and other cereals to take in more iron, but sometimes the plants rebel.

In plants ranging from liverworts to wheat, parasitic water molds build intracellular structures analogous to the nutrient-exchanging structures of symbiotic fungi.

Authors of a small study say the two abilities likely evolved in tandem.

Transposon mutagenesis give scientists a rare look at the most important interactions within microbial communities.

The sturgeon restoration study’s outcome won’t be known for decades.

In addition to detecting unseen organisms in the ocean, studies of environmental DNA can shed light on the genetic structure of marine populations.

Large-scale genomic studies of anorexia and bulimia are turning up clues about the conditions’ development and persistence.

A perception of sustained focus may actually be the result of cycles of fluctuating rather than continuous neural activity, according to new behavioral and neurological data from studies in humans and macaques.

After release from rehab, bottlenose Billie started walking on water with her tail. Studying how the behavior spread could offer clues about how animals learn from each other.

Scientists have found traces of the dairy product in 7,200-year-old pottery in Croatia.

Like dogs and horses, goats can discern happy from angry facial expressions. But whether these animals possess empathy remains unclear.

A longitudinal study tracking the progress of an epilepsy patient after surgery shows the brain’s ability to reorganize itself to function nearly normally.

Studies have demonstrated that magnetic and electrical currents can enhance memory in human subjects, but the technology is not yet ready for prime time.

Regardless of parental income and education, children who engage in more two-way conversation with their parents learn better.