Global Temperatures Spark Hot Debate

Errors may have crept into satellite-based measurements of global temperatures.

Picture of world forests pieced together

Of the world's original forests, only one-fifth remains as relatively large, undisturbed tracts.

Does yo-yo dieting pose cancer threat?

An estrogen-mimicking pollutant is released from fat during periods of weight loss and may spur the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors.

Shape, not bonds may drive DNA synthesis

Contrary to what scientists had thought, the enzyme that synthesizes DNA seem to rely more on shape than on hydrogen bonds when matching up complementary bases.

How fowl: Chickens that behave like quail

A researcher has transplanted developing brain cells from quail embryos into chicken embryos, creating chickens that reproduce some characteristics of quail crowing behavior.

Mapping helium atoms' quantum states

Physicists have, for the first time, experimentally determined the quantum state of helium atoms passing through a pair of slits.

Ear infections now more widespread

Childhood middle-ear infections have become more entrenched, but researchers differ on how often black children suffer from bouts of the illness.

Top 10 winners in top science contest

High school students from New York, California, and Montana won top scholarships in the 56th annual Westinghouse Science Talent Search.

Research Note:

Biomedicine:

Certain foods influence diabetes risk

Women who eat little cereal fiber and a lot of carbohydrate-rich foods increase their chance of developing diabetes to 2.5 times the normal rate.

Stubborn digitalis debate continues

The heart drug digitalis has both health benefits and medical drawbacks.

Articles:

Running on One-Third Empty

Primates on a low-cal diet are in a metabolic slow lane, perhaps to longer life

Metabolism -- particularly glucose use -- is central to the aging process.

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