All Stories
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AstronomyKepler’s surprise: Planet hunter also found supernovas
NASA's now-defunct Kepler space telescope captured five stellar explosions as they happened.
By Andrew Grant -
AgricultureSome bioenergy crops are greener than others
In the Upper Midwest, switchgrass trumps maize at boosting ecological health.
By Beth Mole -
PsychologyThe most (and least) realistic movie psychopaths ever
A forensic psychologist spent three years watching 400 movies to trace portrayals of psychopaths.
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Science & SocietyTracking fireballs for science
Watching a meteor race across the night sky is a romantic experience. And now it can be a scientific one as well.
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Health & Medicine‘Good bacterium’ prevents colic symptoms in newborns
Crying time was nearly halved in babies receiving the beneficial microbe.
By Nathan Seppa -
Health & MedicineBaby-cam captures an infant’s world
What do babies see all day? Faces. Lots of faces.
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GeneticsMicrobe and human genes influence stomach cancer risk
When genes of the bacterium and its human host evolve together, the strain is less harmful than that same strain in a person whose ancestors didn't encounter that particular microbe.
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Health & MedicineGreen tea may sabotage blood pressure medication
Antioxidants in drink may keep intestinal cells from taking up drug.
By Beth Mole -
AstronomyGalaxies’ missing mass may hide in gas clouds
Vast reservoirs of previously undetected gas could account for much of galaxies’ matter, solving a cosmic mystery.
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CosmologyFrom Dust to Life
In about 300 pages, this book sums up the history of all that matters — or at least everything made of matter — from the Big Bang to life on Earth.
By Janet Raloff -
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AnimalsWrinkle arises in soggy hand studies
An experiment bucks earlier finding that ridges help fingers grasp.
By Beth Mole