All Stories
- Neuroscience
The memory benefits of distraction
We usually think of distraction as a bad thing for memory. But under certain conditions, distraction may help rather than hurt.
- Health & Medicine
Thalidomide treats Crohn’s disease
Study of children with the inflammatory bowel disorder raises possibility of new use for tainted drug.
- Health & Medicine
Chilling body doesn’t stop bacterial infection
Lowering the body temperature of individuals with severe bacterial meningitis may not help to improve patients’ health and could do more harm than good.
- Math
Why Big Data is bad for science
Big Data is supposed to be a scientific bonanza, but it challenges the capabilities of computer science, statistical tests and perhaps calls for revamping the scientific method itself.
- Health & Medicine
Starting exercise late in life still helps with aging
Becoming and staying active as an older individual can lead to a more years without long-term health conditions.
- Animals
Odd head of seahorse cloaks its sneak attacks
Head shape creates hydrodynamic fake-out for stealth hunting.
- Materials Science
Material inspired by dragonfly wings bursts bacteria
Silicon studded with nanostructures could act as antimicrobial coating on medical devices.
- Genetics
DNA changes may show how whales adapted to water
Comparing the genetic material of whales has revealed DNA changes that may have helped the animals adapt to aquatic environments.
- Archaeology
Early shrine unearthed at Nepal Buddhist site
Ritual structure could help pin down when the sage known as the Buddha lived in South Asia.
- Climate
Methane emissions may be far higher than estimated
U.S. fossil fuel and cattle industries may emit far more methane than government estimates indicate.
- Psychology
People prefer to just get pain over with
A new study shows that people would rather experience pain ASAP, even if it means experiencing more pain.
- Health & Medicine
Whooping cough vaccine may still allow some level of infection
Animal tests show pertussis shots stave off symptoms but allow spread of the bacteria.
