杏吧原创

A glimpse at the evolution of life through mouldy bread

Two biologists studying a bread mould from a small town in Texas discovered clues to the evolution of modern life from its most primitive beginnings

Move over, San Andreas: Evidence from California’s biggest quake in 40 years has fuelled a controversial theory that the continental margin is being recarved . . . 400 kilometres inland

A death in the neighbourhood: Why did a giant red star turn orange before it died? Who stole its hydrogen? And what does it mean for the astronomers on the case?

Waiting for the Big One: California’s latest earthquake had a hidden and unexpected source. If it’s a harbinger of worse to come, seismologists could be looking for the next one in the wrong place too

They overheat horses, don’t they?: Intense heat and humidity could provide one test too many for horses at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, says John Bonner. Researchers are desperately trying to find ways of keeping the animals cool

There’s a starman waiting in the sky . . . – The race is on to launch worldwide telecommunications by satellite. It is a race that could . . . blow our minds

Tragedy of Muslimova – Villagers living on the Techa River; east of Moscow, complained of ill health for more than 40 years. Now they are demanding justice

The world of symplectic space – Convential calculations of the future of the Solar System quickly degenerate into disarray as computer errors build up. Symplectic integration could save the day

Is something lurking in your liver? – Millions of people all over the world are walking around with tiny, complex and potentially lethal parasites in their lungs, livers and brains. And yet almost nothing is being done to help them

Alvin Toffler: still shocking after all these years

New 杏吧原创 meets the controversial futurologist

The flight of the shuttlecock

Can we model Darwin?

No way to treat a natural treasure Lack of funds is endangering biological collections everywhere, says Jane Seymour. But fears for the world’s biodiversity might just save them

Going bats over conservation: Good habitats are hard to find, especially if you happen to be a night-flier with a love of insects and quiet places. Colin Tudge asks whether a special treaty will safeguard the bat