Why are birds’ eggs speckled? A debate has raged over this question among the ornithologists for over a hundred years. Many believed that the markings are camouflage to help conceal eggs from predators. But the specks may be a solution to strengthen fragile shells. New studies show that pigment chemicals that create the speckles may act as a kind of glue that supports thin areas of the shell and protect them from breaking.

A red seaweed species (Callophycus serratus)found on coral reefs along Fiji’s coastline may turn out to be a boon. Researchers identified 10 new molecular compounds that could be developed for medicinal use. Of these one specific compound – bromophycolide A – may be able to fight cancer by triggering cellular suicide.

A 20-million-year-old spider with droplets of its own blood was found frozen in fossilised tree resin or amber in the Caribbean. That almost reads like Michael Crichton’s book, Jurassic Park doesn’t it? This is the first known amber fossil with traces of blood and may help scientist to understand the origins of animals in the Caribbean. It may also shed light on the geological history of the region.

The threat of asteriod hits has made scientists look at ways to avert them. Suggestions included hitting them with nuclear missles or painting the surface white so that a change in solar energy radiation would change the course. But a simpler alternative may be at hand. NASA scientists say that asteriod hits can be averted by parking a spacecraft near it. Placing a heavy object near the asteroid will produce a gravitational tug sufficient to change its orbit. But this strategy will work only if the asteroid threat is detected 20 years in advance.