Science Advances · 7 August 2026 · From issue 19

Bengalese finch songs have word-like chunks that follow the same pattern as human language.

Simon Kirby, Kazuo Okanoya et al., Language-like statistical structure arises in learned signaling: evidence from birdsong, Science Advances.

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In yeast cells, a brief protein tag lets scientists track single nuclear pores over time.
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Liraglutide lowers a key water balancing hormone in healthy people and changes related proteins in rats.
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Fruit and honey sugars, not just meat, may have fueled brain growth in early human ancestors.
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In lab tests, a copper based material separated two hydrogen gas types 20 times better than usual.
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In plants, extra fat droplets in cells cut virus levels without slowing growth.
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In mice and monkeys, a new gene tool skipped broken gene sections better than older versions.
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YouTube videos told sharply divided stories, but comments below them were much less divided.
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