All Stories
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NeuroscienceLife span lengthens when mice feel less pain
When rodents are missing a sensory protein, their metabolism revs up and they live longer.
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CosmologyDustup emerges over gravitational waves discovery
While cosmologists wait for data from Planck satellite, some worry that BICEP2 data actually come from our galaxy.
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LifeA slow heartbeat in athletes is not so funny
Endurance athletes often experience sinus bradycardia, a slow heartbeat. A new paper shows this effect may be due to changes in the “funny channel” of the sinoatrial node.
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Health & MedicineDengue risk forecasted for soccer World Cup in Brazil
Three Brazilian cities — Recife, Fortaleza and Natal — have the highest risk for outbreaks of dengue fever, according to a new early warning system.
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LifeIn a surprise find, placentas harbor bacteria
Mouth bacteria make their way to the placenta. Some mixes may trigger premature birth.
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Quantum PhysicsQuantum cryptography could shed test for hackers
An added protection of a proposed quantum cryptography method makes eavesdropping nearly impossible.
By Andrew Grant -
AnimalsMice really do like to run in wheels
When scientists stuck a tiny wheel out in nature, wild mice ran just as much as their captive counterparts do.
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LifeGenes gives clues to outcome of species interbreeding
Genetics provides clues to why hybrid river fish formed a subspecies but insects formed a new species.
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ClimateEnvironmental change may spur growth of ‘rock snot’
A controversial new theory suggests alga that forms rock snot isn’t an invader, but a low-key species native to many rivers.
By Beth Mole -
Health & MedicineNewer schizophrenia drug isn’t necessarily better
A newer antipsychotic medication may work no better than an older drug, results from a clinical trial show.
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EcosystemsDeep-sea trawling threatens oceans’ health
Dragging large nets along the seafloor to catch fish cuts organic matter and biodiversity in half and may threaten all of the world's underwater ecosystems.
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Science & SocietyTrust in gravity isn’t always the best astronomy policy
Historical episodes involving Neptune, Mercury and gravity have implications for today’s dark matter and dark energy mysteries.