Here are some science stories you may have missed this past year, gleaned from the pages of the journal Science.
Genetically modified mice with fluorescence • Ingrid Moen, et al (CC BY 2.0)
“The Garden of Eden with the Fall of Man” by Rubens and Brueghel the Elder (c. 1615)
Reconciling the ‘Adams’ of the soul
During this week of the winter solstice, Jews and Christians recall defining moments of their faith. In these darkest days of winter they celebrate festivals of light, calling out to their hidden god with longing and expectation.
Detail from “The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo (c. 1512)
Do we really want to go there?
A 63-year-old California woman gives birth to a child conceived with donor egg and sperm.
Image by Daderot (CC0)
Software, ratware, and catware
The invasion of the roborats! From the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena come reports of the first silicon chips that incorporate living brain cells.
Photo by Nick Nice on Unsplash
Mediocre though it may be, carbon is the stuff of life
“Diamonds are forever” say the De Beers ads. Well, yes and no. Depends on what you mean by forever.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels
Not the place to find good science
“It’s the science, stupid,” said defense lawyer Barry Scheck at the Louise Woodward trial.
“Consulting the Oracle” by John William Waterhouse (1884)
The Oracle is no match for El Niño
SCENE: The temple of Apollo at Delphi. The Oracle stands at the porch. Boston weathercasters Bruce Schwoegler, Harvey Leonard, and Dick Albert approach.
Replica of a giant squid at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan • Photo by Momotarou2012 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Even giant squid do it
From southern Australia comes news of the sex life of the giant squid.
“La Bohémienne endormie” by Henri Rousseau (1897)
Get in touch with your inner animal
“An animal and proud of it.”
Hubble image of the Pistol Star • D. Figer (UCLA) and NASA
This celebrity’s a real star — or two
There is a new king of the hill.