News
- Earth
Algae Turn Fish into a Lethal Lunch
Scientists demonstrated that some marine mammals have died from eating fish tainted with a neurotoxic diatom.
By Janet Raloff - Earth
Most oil enters sea from nonaccidents
Nearly all of the oil entering the marine environment traces not to accidents but to natural seeps and human activities where releases are intentional.
By Janet Raloff - Physics
Matter waves: Be fruitful and multiply
For the first time, physicists induced atoms to amplify a selected matter wave in a manner analogous to a cascade of photons amplifying the characteristic electromagnetic wave of an optical laser.
By Peter Weiss - Materials Science
Impurity clouds from all sides now
For the first time, scientists have obtained detailed, three-dimensional images of line defects in steel.
By Corinna Wu - Materials Science
Small-scale glues stick to surfaces
Tailored molecular glues can connect together tiny particles for nanotechnology applications.
By Corinna Wu - Health & Medicine
The brew for a slimmer you
Green tea contains a compound that triggers the body to burn more fat.
By Janet Raloff -
Antioxidants may help cancers thrive
By curbing a natural process that rids the body of damage, antioxidant vitamins can aid cancer growth.
By Janet Raloff - Earth
Wretched weather sealed explorer’s fate
Unusually low temperatures hindered Robert Falcon Scott's polar expedition in 1912.
- Earth
Taking a mountain’s measure
A survey of Mount Everest alters its official elevation to 29,035 feet.
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- Earth
Mapping the Frozen Sky: Study looks at clouds from both sides now
By combining simultaneous observations from satellites and ground-based instruments, scientists can generate a three-dimensional map of the size and distribution of ice particles in a cirrus cloud.
By Sid Perkins - Animals
Male bats primp daily for odor display
For the first time, scientists have described the daily routine of male sac-winged bats gathering to freshen the odor pouches on their wings.
By Susan Milius