60-second Science

Whale ancestors probably never had teeth and baleen at the same time, and only developed baleen after trying toothlessness and sucking in prey.

A variety of corn from Oaxaca, Mexico, has aerial roots that harbor nitrogen-fixing bacteria, allowing the corn to suck nitrogen straight from the air. Christopher Intagliata reports. 

Birds become good at avoiding danger by eavesdropping on the alarm calls of other birds—and the learning occurs without even seeing their peers or predators. Christopher Intagliata reports. 

An analysis of the Hong Kong metro found microbes, including some with antibiotic resistance genes, freshly disperse throughout the system each day. Christopher Intagliata reports.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Different people have differing aptitudes for observing small changes and particular features. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About 5 percent of crows will attempt to copulate with other crows that have joined the choir invisible.

Certain proteins that coordinate the healing response are present at higher levels in oral tissue—meaning wounds in the mouth fix faster. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 2,500 scientists signed a letter saying that an expanded U.S.–Mexico border wall would threaten both biodiversity and scientific research. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Researchers used a couple of hundred dollars worth of materials to turn a wall into a giant touch screen

By analyzing the proteins in ancient dental plaque, archaeologists determined that British menus almost three millennia ago featured milk, oats and peas. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chemicals designed to simulate honeybee alarm pheromones could deter elephants from farmers’ crops, easing conflicts with humans. Annie Sneed reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Extreme sea level rise could swamp internet cabling and hubs by 2033—and coastal cities like New York, Seattle and Miami are at greatest risk. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Shark researchers used a system for recognizing patterns in star field photographs to identify whale sharks, which have individual spot patterns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A study of human–mammal interaction across the globe found animals are more prone to take to the night around humans. Jason G. Goldman reports.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The International Astronomical Union reports that there are now 79 known Jovian moons, with a dozen found last year.

Some moth species have evolved long wing tails that flutter and twist as the moth flies, which distract hungry bats. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Very brief reports about science and technology from around the globe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A prototype flexible electronic mouth guard can measure lactate levels in an athlete’s saliva, tracking muscle fatigue during training and performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wine book author Kevin Begos explains that just a few varieties of wine grapes dominate the industry, which leaves them vulnerable to potentially catastrophic disease outbreaks.

Iridescence appears to break up the recognizable shape of objects—making them harder to spot. Karen Hopkin reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices