MS-LS4-4

Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals' probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.

  1. Animals

    Analyze This: Shimmering colors may help beetles hide

    Delve into data showing how brilliant colors that shift as a viewer — or predator — moves may help iridescent insects blend in.

    By
  2. Animals

    The many efforts to lick cat allergies

    Up to one in five people around the world may be allergic to cats. Science is coming to help their desire for kitty cuddles.

    By
  3. Health & Medicine

    Immune arms-race in bats may make their viruses deadly to people

    An overactive immune system may help bats avoid being sickened by many viruses. This may viruses becoming stronger — and deadlier — when they hit other species.

    By
  4. Health & Medicine

    Your most urgent questions about the new coronavirus

    Researchers have more questions than answers right now about 2019-nCoV. They’re racing to understand and stop the coronavirus and the health crisis it poses.

    By
  5. Life

    Why some whales become giants and others are only big

    Being big helps whales access more food. But just how big a whale can get is influenced by whether it hunts or filter-feeds.

    By
  6. Microbes

    Globetrotting microbes in airplane sewage may spread antibiotic resistance

    Along with harder-to-kill microbes, airplane sewage contains a diverse set of the genes that let bacteria evade antibiotics.

    By
  7. Microbes

    Drug-resistant germs kill some 35,000 Americans each year

    The new mortality rate may be way low, some experts say. Also troubling are two new germs that have emerged as big and urgent threats.

    By
  8. Animals

    Why are bird eggs in cold climates darker colored?

    A global survey of bird egg color has revealed a simple trend: the colder the climate, the darker the egg.

    By
  9. Animals

    Blood vessels in their heads kept big dinos from overheating

    Giant dinosaurs evolved several ways to cool their blood and avoid heatstroke.

    By
  10. Genetics

    What we can — and can’t — learn from our pets’ DNA

    Your dog or cat’s DNA is an open book. DNA tests tell people about their pet’s breed and attempt to predict things about its behavior and health.

    By
  11. Animals

    Orca snot leads to a whale of a science-fair project

    DNA found in the mucus of orcas suggests that even though the traits of family pods may differ, these marine mammals all appear to belong to a single species.

    By
  12. Genetics

    Explainer: How CRISPR works

    Scientists are using a tool called CRISPR to edit DNA in all types of cells.

    By