The greatest mass extinction in Earth’s history happened far quicker than scientists had once thought.

A statistical analysis of more than 3,000 recordings of California woodpeckers dashes the long-debated idea that each species has unique drumming.

Discharged psychiatric patients who do not abuse alcohol or illicit drugs commit violent acts at the same rate as a random selection of their neighbors in urban communities.

High concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and other combustion pollutants may contribute to late-term miscarriages.

Two studies indicate that genetic variations in a region of the ACE gene may signal men who are at increased risk of high blood pressure.

A novel process for making porous silicon creates microscopic, light-emitting patterns on a crystalline silicon surface.

Estrogen may turn on some of the same genes as testosterone and other so-called male hormones.

A near-infrared camera aboard the Hubble Space Telescope has recorded the first detailed portrait of the core of the closest galaxy to Earth that houses an active, supermassive black hole.

Research Notes

Anthropology

Scientists announced the discovery of additional fossils from Australopithecus anamensis, the earliest known human ancestor capable of walking upright.

An excavation in Mexico revealed a ball court that was used about 3,400 years ago.

 

Astronomy

Astronomers have found the coldest star on record.

Combining computer simulations with data gathered by a dust detector aboard the Galileo spacecraft, researchers have found evidence of a new, faint dust ring encircling Jupiter.

The Ulysses spacecraft has completed its first lap around the sun.

Biomedicine

Breast milk contains lactadherin, a compound effective in combating the most common diarrhea-causing microbe.

Coffee, tea, and wine may help a woman avoid kidney stones whereas grapefruit juice apparently increases the chances of getting a stone.

Geologists link a chain of craters

Five large asteroids or comets may have hit Earth 214 million years ago.

Tiny genetic loops aid cancer cells, offer target for therapy

Minichromosomes may help cancer cells proliferate.