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- Humans
From the June 17, 1933, issue
STRATOSPHERE SHELL PREPARED FOR NAVIGATORS The little metal sphere that will be the stratosphere home of two men and scientific instruments for a few hours next month is rapidly being completed (SNL, May 27, ’33, p. 323). It is pictured on the front cover with Dr. Jean F. Piccard emerging at the unfinished vertex of […]
By Science News - Earth
Rocks for Kids
Can’t tell pyrite from magnetite? Looking for an entertaining, colorful introduction to rocks and minerals? The Mineralogical Society of America has created a Web site, aimed at kids, that provides information about minerals and their classification, properties, and uses. It includes a selection of games with a mineral theme. Go to: http://www.minsocam.org/MSA/K12/K_12.html
By Science News - Health & Medicine
Carotid surgery stands test of time
Surgery to remove blockages from the carotid artery in the neck has lasting effects against stroke over several years and even provides some benefit when it's delayed.
By Nathan Seppa - Astronomy
Neutron stars twist Einstein’s theory
Astronomers may finally have found evidence of a key prediction of Einstein's general theory of relativity—that a spinning object drags space-time along with it.
By Ron Cowen -
19254
It’s appropriate that research into the genes for caffeine in tea and coffee plants should be done at Ochanomizu University in Tokyo. The university is named for the Ochanomizu district of Tokyo, a name that literally means tea water. The name arose in the early 17th century, when the second Tokugawa shogun took such a […]
By Science News -
Gene find could yield decaffeinated plants
The first published report of cloning a gene for caffeine synthesis raises the possibility of creating decaf plants.
By Susan Milius - Chemistry
Additive gives improved mileage, less smog
A new fuel additive, polyisobutylene, decreases automobile emissions by 70 percent while increasing power and mileage.
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NIH OKs work on stem cells
The U.S. government opened the door for U.S. scientists to receive federal funding for research on stem cells from human embryos.
By John Travis -
Brain-Cell Loss Found in Narcolepsy
The puzzling sleep disorder known as narcolepsy stems from the destruction of a small group of brain cells.
By John Travis - Health & Medicine
Domestic Disease: Exotic pets bring pathogens home
The potentially deadly monkeypox virus has spread from Africa to people in several states via infected pet prairie dogs.
By Ben Harder - Astronomy
Sharpening a Heavenly Image: Clear view of globular cluster’s crowded core
Using innovative optics to take the twinkle out of starlight, the Gemini North Telescope on Hawaii's Mauna Kea has recorded the sharpest infrared images ever of a crowded grouping of Milky Way stars.
By Ron Cowen - Materials Science
Fixed Focus: Adjustable lenses from liquid droplets
Seasoned with a pinch of salt, droplets of a polymer precursor become voltage-adjustable lenses that may cut costs in fiberoptic telecommunications.
By Peter Weiss