science news 12.2.2020

Today's selection of science news. Links are normally to press releases on EurekAlert (at the bottom end I may also add a couple of newspaper stories). I include quotes from the summary in italics in cases where the title alone doesn't reveal what the story is about. My own thoughts appear without italics if I have any.


evolution

Disease found in fossilized dinosaur tail afflicts humans to this day


ecology

Live imaging of flowers reveals hidden secrets of plant reproduction

Orb-weaver spiders' yellow and black pattern helps them lure prey

How some butterflies developed the ability to change their eyespot size



This image shows the striking contrast in the size of the eyespots of two Bicyclus anynana butterflies that developed during different seasons.
Credit: William Piel and Antónia Monteiro (CC BY 4.0)


biomedical
How the brain's immune system could be harnessed to improve memory


sustainability

Blasting 'forever' chemicals out of water with a vortex of cold plasma


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From the news media:

Puberty in cattle mooted in the Guardian.