News
- Archaeology
Maize domestication grows older in Mexico
Maize cultivation existed in southern Mexico at least 6,300 years ago, according to a recent radiocarbon analysis of two maize cobs unearthed in a cave nearly 40 years ago.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
Common additive thwarts malaria parasite
Triclosan--a drug used as an antimicrobial agent in toothpaste, deodorant, and other products--kills rodent malaria parasites in mice and human malaria parasites in test-tube studies.
By Nathan Seppa - Physics
Muon orbits may defy main physics theory
A tiny discrepancy from theory in a newly remeasured magnetic trait of a subatomic particle, the muon, may represent a first crack in the 30-year-old prevailing standard model of particle physics.
By Peter Weiss - Materials Science
Scientists develop self-healing composites
Researchers have developed a composite material that has the ability to repair small cracks within itself, a characteristic that could be used to extend the reliability and service life of electronic and aerospace components.
By Sid Perkins - Genetics
The Newly Sequenced Genome Bares All
The mapped human genome begins to reveal its secrets.
By Jessa Netting and Linda Wang - Earth
Siberian snow has long-range effects
The strength of the winter weather feature called the Siberian high is linked to the amount of early-season snow cover in its namesake region.
By Sid Perkins - Earth
Lack of oxygen locks up peat’s carbon
The inactivity of a single enzyme in peat due to the lack of oxygen may be the only thing preventing massive releases of carbon dioxide from the peatlands.
By Sid Perkins -
Inbred cattle don’t look bad at all
A herd of feral cattle that hasn't had new blood for at least 300 years seems to have avoided the genetic risks of inbreeding.
By Susan Milius -
Genetic search for an equine Eve fails
Genetic analysis suggests an unusual history for modern horses: lots of independent domestications instead of the usual few.
By Susan Milius -
Cloned gaur born healthy, then dies
The first cloned gaur, a rare, Asian oxlike creature, died when only a few days old but proved the technique worked.
By Susan Milius - Health & Medicine
Teeth grinding linked to sleep apnea
Rhythmic grinding of teeth during sleep occurs at least once a week in as many as 8.2 percent of people.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Lyme vaccine works in a curious way
Antibodies formed in response to the vaccine against Lyme disease kill the bacteria that cause it while they are still in the deer tick that spreads it.
By Nathan Seppa