All Stories

Humans

Citation-amnesia paper published

Many biomedical researchers fail to put their findings into context by citing related, previously published work. I termed this citation amnesia, when I wrote about it 18 months ago, based on data presented at a meeting on peer review and publishing. Readers who seek more details than my initial blog provided can now pore over the stats from that research for themselves. The Johns Hopkins University team that I encountered at the Vancouver meeting has now formally published its analysis.

Physics

Tevatron to shut down in September

Citing a lack of funds, the U.S. Department of Energy has essentially pulled out of the race to make the next great discovery in particle physics.

Life

Old amoebas spawn their farms

Some slime molds use a simple form of agriculture to ensure a steady food supply.

Health & Medicine

Tallying the caloric cost of an all-nighter

Sleep is energy-saving, and missing even one night sends the body into conservation mode, new measurements show.

Chemistry

Bitter flavors boost hunger hormone

Experiments in mice may help explain the allure of the aperitif.

Chemistry

Why olive oil’s quality is in the cough

An anti-inflammatory compound found in the best presses tickles taste sensors in the throat, a study finds.

Life

Making a worm do more than squirm

A laser used for locomotion control shines light on nematode behavior, one cell at a time.

Health & Medicine

Tongue piercings worse with metal

Stainless steel or titanium studs collect bacteria more readily than do studs made of plastic or Teflon, a study finds.

Humans

Reviving the taste of an Iron Age beer

Malted barley from a 2,550-year-old Celtic settlement offers savory insights into ancient malt beverage.