 |
Healthful IndulgencesFebruary 28, 1998 | Volume 153 | Number 9 Cover: Health experts have spent decades trying to curb the public's appetite for high-fat foods, alcohol, and sex. New research suggests a welcome change in direction. Recent findings indicate that moderate indulgence in certain no-nos may actually improve longevity. (Image: Super Stock) |
Features:
Science Safari
Full Text
Available for Selected Articles
News of the Week:
A Shot to the Heart Shows Promise
A new drug promotes blood vessel growth in humans, a possible boon to patients with heart disease.
Hipparcos finds hint of star streams
New findings from the Hipparcos satellite lend further support to the idea that the halo of our galaxy acquired its stars by stealing them from small, nearby galaxies.
Signs of eruption found off Oregon shores
Scientists find evidence of fresh lava at a submerged Pacific volcano.
Working memory makes a spatial move
Brain images indicate that separate regions of the prefrontal cortex regulate working memory for objects and for spatial relationships.
Mathematicians
describe tendril perversion
A mathematical model of elastic rods can be used to describe coiled vine tendrils and kinky phone cords.
Polymer blend takes on printed pattern
A technique that allows polymers to arrange themselves into intricate patterns could make computer chip manufacturing faster and cheaper.
Diabetic mice cast suspicion on protein
Mice missing a protein involved in insulin signaling develop type II diabetes.
Cowbirds get head start with egg tricks
Several stratagems enable the cowbird to win or tie the race to be the first egg to hatch.
Research Notes
AAAS
Numbers can confuse jurors
The ways in which juries perceive DNA evidence can vary greatly depending on how that evidence is presented.
Texas-sized molecule battles cancer
A drug called texaphyrin enhances the effectiveness of radiation treatments for metastatic brain cancer.
Science pokes loopholes in cloning bans
Twenty states have considered legislation to ban human cloning, but the proposed wording may leave loopholes.
Bacteria may hide in hunks of gunk
Traditional microbiological tests may not reveal all of the pathogens hiding in the processed sludge used as fertilizer.
New faces to fill top science posts
President Clinton nominated two scientists for directorships at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation.
Biomedicine
The good news: Protease inhibitors
Deaths due to AIDS have dropped sharply in the 3 years since new drugs called protease inhibitors came on the market.
The bad news: Protease inhibitors
Some people taking protease inhibitors to fight AIDS are experiencing a strange buildup of fat on the belly and on the back of the neck.
Antiviral gel clears safety test
An intravaginal gel that kills HIV has proved safe in a small-scale test in women.
Physics
Flooding light through tiny holes
A regular array of microscopic holes in a thin metal layer lets through a surprisingly large amount of light.
Tunneling to a speedy transistor
The development of an improved quantum tunneling transistor potentially opens up the way for mass production of such devices.
Articles:
Cosmologists in Flatland
Searching for the missing energy
Many cosmologists aren’t about to give up the idea that the universe has a flat geometry.
Valuable Vices
Researchers uncover the healthful side of hedonism
New research suggests that alcohol, sex, and high-fat food may provide health benefits.
Departments:
Letters:
For More Information on this Week's Articles:
copyright 1998 Science Service
