Mind the gap
WHEN dealing with bad genes, nature is a ruthless bouncer. Mutations which diminish an individual's ability to reproduce are weeded out of a population like unwanted guests at a party. But some guests, no matter how dull or offensive, manage to turn up time and again. This raises the suspicion that they owe their popularity to a hidden service that they provide to their host.
This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Mind the gap”
From the August 12th 2000 edition
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Elon Musk is causing problems for the Royal Society
His continued membership has led to a high-profile resignation
Deforestation is costing Brazilian farmers millions
Without trees to circulate moisture, the land is getting hotter and drier
Robots can learn new actions faster thanks to AI techniques
They could soon show their moves in settings from car factories to care homes
Scientists are learning why ultra-processed foods are bad for you
A mystery is finally being solved
Scientific publishers are producing more papers than ever
Concerns about some of their business models are building
The two types of human laugh
One is caused by tickling; the other by everything else