All Stories
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Planetary ScienceComet lander’s exploration cut short
The comet lander Philae made history with its touchdown on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, but a series of small hiccups prevented the robot from recharging its batteries, giving it only about 57 hours to explore the alien world.
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EarthEarth’s most abundant mineral finally has a name
Bridgmanite, the planet’s most common mineral, christened after traces found in 1879 meteorite.
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Health & MedicineEbola vaccine shows no major side effects in small study
An experimental vaccine against Ebola virus has tested well in people, researchers report.
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Health & MedicineTurning the immune system on cancer
A new class of drugs uncloaks tumors in some patients, awakening home-grown cells to fight several cancer types.
By Nathan Seppa -
NeuroscienceDogs’ brains may process speech similar to humans’
When it comes to interpreting human speech, dogs may have brain-hemisphere biases similar to people’s.
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Animals10 bites of turkey trivia for your holiday meal
Will turkeys really drown if they look up in a rainstorm? Can they fly? Where did the domestic turkey come from? Learn answers to these questions and more.
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NeuroscienceThe molecular path of best resilience
Many studies focus on susceptibility to stress and how it triggers depression. But a new study highlights a protein important in resilience, showing that resisting stress takes work, too.
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AnimalsVulture guts are filled with noxious bacteria
Vultures’ guts are chock-full of bacteria that sicken other creatures.
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TechBlu-ray Discs get repurposed to improve solar cells
Polymer solar cells capture more sunlight when they are imprinted with movies’ and TV shows’ Blu-ray Disc etchings.
By Andrew Grant -
ArchaeologyGolden Fleece myth was based on real events, geologists contend
Jason’s legend grew out of long-distance trade with people who used sheepskins to collect gold.
By Bruce Bower -
GeneticsOrchid genome may save highly endangered species
The sequenced genome of the orchid Phalaenopsis equestris offers some hints about a different form of photosynthesis and how the flowers of the plant got their specialized shape.
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HumansBreakfast in the classroom boosts school attendance
Schools that serve breakfast in the classroom have slightly better attendance than schools that only offer the meal in the cafeteria.