60-second Science

The microbes found in crushed grapes were linked to certain chemical fingerprints in the finished wine. Christopher Intagliata reports.

In mice, intestinal microbes respond to a high-fat diet by producing acetate, which triggers the release of a hormone that makes mammals feel hungry, causing them to eat even more.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wildlife researcher Joel Berger dons a polar bear outfit to study the reactions of musk oxen to the threat of bears increasingly driven onto the land for food.  

What looked like human-made structures underwater off Greece turned out to be millions-of-years-old concretions deposited by bacteria.  

An energy-efficient alternative to LEDs has greater focusing power, for microscopes and spotlights. Christopher Intagliata reports.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Damselfish had trouble sniffing out survival clues by their fellows in damaged coral. Jason Goldman reports.

Serving wine in larger glasses boosted sales 10 percent in an English bar, possibly because customers think they're imbibing less per glass. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Shy sticklebacks were more likely to emerge from under cover when an equally wary fellow was already out there, rather than when a bold individual was present.  

Dogs may have been domesticated from wolves twice, first in Europe, and again in Asia. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Researchers say carbon storage sites should be tested for microbial life, which could potentially convert CO2 to methane—a more potent greenhouse gas. Christopher Intagliata reports.

A wearable device records the sounds of knees cracking, which could reveal clues about the condition of the joint. Christopher Intagliata reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an analysis of 14 presidential debate transcripts, two thirds of accusations of question-dodging had no merit. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Remnants of a beer-making operation some 5,000 years old have been found in northern China.  

Evidence indicates that waves as tall as skyscrapers and thousands of kilometers wide once washed over the Red Planet.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many red-colored birds have to convert yellow pigments in their food into the red pigments that make their feathers and beaks so brilliant.  

Two different antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains have a protective relationship in which each disables a different antibiotic, allowing both to thrive. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Scientists from numerous disciplines will brainstorm new strategies for measuring "Big G" in July.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dust clouds from the Sahara reach the Caribbean—and fertilize waters there when they arrive. Christopher Intagliata reports.

A single-celled organism discovered in chinchilla droppings is the only known eukaryotic organism that lacks mitochondria-like organelles. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Caltech theoretical physicist Sean M. Carroll talks about the necessary connections among the various ways we have of describing the universe.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices