Scientists at MIT have developed a new superdrug they are calling Double-stranded RNA Activated Caspase Oligomerizer, or DRACO for short, that identifies virus infected cells and causes the cell to destroy itself. So far its only been tested on 11 types of mammalian cells and is effective against 15 viruses including H1NI, gengue flavivirus (causes the Dengue Fever), and West Nile. While it’s will take many years to go through the various efficacy and safety trials, this is very exciting. (CNET News)

A look at two different strains of yeast, one that clumps in to groups and another that stays independent shows that the clumpers have a clear selective advantage in that they are able to consume more sucrose through group efforts than the loaners, the groups are also better able to protect their food from mutants who do not break down sucrose. This suggests how multicellularity may have evolved. (New Scientist

The Kepler space telescope has found a rather surprising new exoplanet. What makes it unique is that it blocks much less light than a Jupiter size planet normally would when it passes in front of its star and it reflects almost none when approaching the other side of its orbit. This planet is thought to be darker than coal, so dark that it reflects about 1% of the light its star shines on it. (National Geographic

The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) made a second test flight of its Hypersonic Technology Vehicle. This is a rocket launched glider that then travels at Mach 20 on its way to it’s target. In theory this would allow a payload to be delivered anywhere in the world in less than an hour. So far both tests have been failures, this time due to a loss of communication. (PC Magazine)

A new plesiosaur fossil shows it containing what appears to be a plesiosaur fetus. This isn’t the first prehistoric marine reptile that has been found to have given live birth, but it is a first for plesiosaurs. (New Scientist)