earth
New mineral classification system captures Earth's complex past
"A system of categorization that reflects not just a mineral's chemistry and crystalline structure, but also the physical, chemical, or biological processes by which it formed, would be capable of recognizing that nanodiamonds from space are fundamentally different to diamonds formed in Earth's depths."
evolution
Feathers came first, then birds
"New research, led by the University of Bristol, suggests that feathers arose 100 million years before birds -- changing how we look at dinosaurs, birds, and pterosaurs, the flying reptiles."
See also my feature on bird evolution.
ecology
Sponges collect penguin, seal, and fish DNA from the water they filter
A very exciting way of getting DNA evidence on marine biodiversity. Also, one of the cases where I read the headline and thought that must be in Current Biology. And indeed it was.
This is a sponge specimen, Aplysina aerophoba.
Credit: A. Riesgo
humans
Oldest flaked stone tools point to the repeated invention of stone tools
More than 2.58 million years old
Hearing through your fingers: Device that converts speech
"A novel study published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience provides the first evidence that a simple and inexpensive non-invasive speech-to-touch sensory substitution device has the potential to improve hearing in hearing-impaired cochlear implant patients, as well as individuals with normal hearing, to better discern speech in various situations like learning a second language or trying to deal with the 'cocktail party effect.' The device can provide immediate multisensory enhancement without any training."
Six fingers per hand
"A congenital additional finger brings motor advantages."
(I found no mention re. whether it helps or hinders piano playing)
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