Viruses, ET and the octopus from space: the return of panspermia
A major paper revives the oft-mocked theory that life on Earth began in a rain of cosmic microbes. Stephen Fleischfresser reports.
When it comes to making a dagger, human bones are best
Analysis of tribal weapons finds strength and status are both important. Andrew Masterson reports.
Accelerating coral evolution
In this issue: Accelerating coral evolution – Hacking human performance – Resurrecting the thylacine – Gallery: fractals in nature – The entangled web: staging the second quantum revolution – Synthetic life
issue
This week in science history: The “Wizard of Schenectady” is born
Einstein’s pal Charles Proteus Steinmetz transformed the electric power industry. Jeff Glorfeld reports.
Against the odds, cicada teens meet and mate
Analysis finds gene flow between species, even though they only meet every 200 years. Tanya Loos reports.
This week in science history: The man who found the cause of the great influenza epidemic is born
An Australian vet made some of the world’s most important discoveries in animal and human disease. Jeff Glorfeld reports.
Period pain and alcohol may be linked
A meta-analysis suggests that some cases of pre-menstrual syndrome could be triggered by drinking, but the results are unclear. Andrew Masterson reports.
