All Stories
- Astronomy
Cosmic Revelations: Satellite homes in on the infant universe
A new portrait of the infant universe pins down the age of the universe—13.7 billion years—to an unprecedented accuracy of 1 percent, provides new evidence that the universe began with a brief but humongous growth spurt, and reveals that it already contained a plethora of stars when it was just 200 million years old.
By Ron Cowen -
Gene found key to brain chemical
The mammalian brain makes the neurotransmitter serotonin in an unexpected way.
By John Travis - Health & Medicine
Worms offer the skinny on fat genes
The identification of worm genes that regulate fat storage may provide insight into human obesity.
By John Travis - Astronomy
Starry eruption on a grand scale
Monitoring the bloated star Rho Cassiopeiae, astronomers report they witnessed an explosion that blasted more material into space than any other stellar explosion ever observed.
By Ron Cowen - Physics
Streams plus nanostrands equals electricity
A dense bundle of carbon nanotubes develops a voltage difference along its length when immersed in a slow-flowing liquid.
By Peter Weiss -
19221
Your article reports that chemically synthesized erythropoiesis protein (SEP) was more effective than the genetically engineered molecule. Is there speculation on why that is? Ann DershowitzWest Orange, N.J. Chemically constructed SEP molecules are much more consistent in size, shape, and other properties than genetically engineered erythropoietin. The polymer appendages put onto the molecule protect SEP […]
By Science News - Chemistry
Synthetic molecule may treat anemia
Researchers have created a new form of the protein erythropoietin (EPO) using synthetic chemistry techniques.
- Earth
9/11 ash, and more, found in river muck
Sediment cores pulled from the Hudson River near the World Trade Center site contain a thin layer of metal-rich ash and pulverized debris.
By Sid Perkins -
19220
I am puzzled by Shuming Nie’s prognostication that quantum dots will “be the first example of nanotechnology that can really have some practical applications.” Colloidal gold particles of similar size to quantum dots have been used as high-resolution labels in electron microscopy for over 30 years. And due to their light-scattering properties, gold and silver […]
By Science News - Tech
NanoLights! Camera! Action!
Fluorescent particles of semiconductors are giving biologists a new view of cells and proteins.
- Health & Medicine
‘Don’t Drink Alone’ Gets New Meaning
In what may be bad news for bars and pubs, a European research consortium has found that people drinking alcohol outside of meals have a significantly higher risk of cancer in the mouth and neck than do those taking their libations with food. Luigino Dal Maso of the Cancer Referral Center in Aviano, Italy, and […]
By Janet Raloff - Tech
Bridge Building
For those fascinated by the art, science, and history of building bridges, this Web site provides a wealth of information and images devoted to structures designed to span obstacles of various sorts. Check out different bridge types, key components of bridges, explanations of forces that act on bridges, and much more. Go to: http://www.brantacan.co.uk/bridges.htm
By Science News