The proteomics of Chernobyl: The area immediately surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear plant has been deemed unfit for human habitation, but plants and animals don’t pay attention to safety officials, and have happily taken advantage of the fact that they can go about their business undisturbed in the exclusion zone. Researchers have checked whether one plant that’s thriving in the area (flax) has acquired any specific adaptations to deal with the radiation. The answer, apparently, is no. When the seeds of a plant grown with contaminated soil were checked using proteomes, only 35 proteins showed significant changes, and these performed a broad range of functions.

They’re never too young to start them on irony: Well, maybe before they know how to speak would be too young, but kids seem to grow up fast when it comes to things like hyperbole and understatement. The authors recorded nine hours of family conversation among parents and kids from about four to six. Children’s responses to their parents “revealed some understanding of ironic language, particularly sarcasm and rhetorical questions.” Kids as young as four were already able to use rhetorical questions themselves, and (no surprise here) showed a tendency towards hyperbole.

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Weird Science shrugs off Chernobyl