News
- Planetary Science
Threat to Titan mission deepens
If a communications problem between the Huygens probe and its mother craft is not corrected, as much as two-thirds of the data gathered by the probe during its 2004 descent through Titan's atmosphere could be lost.
- Planetary Science
New moons for Saturn
Astronomers reported the discovery of four new moons orbiting Saturn.
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Milked enzyme thwarts muscle disorder
Using an enzyme made in rabbit's milk, scientists have successfully treated a rare genetic disorder.
- Health & Medicine
Firms vie to treat genetic disease
Successful treatment of Fabry's disease—a rare, fatal genetic condition—prompts a law suit.
- Earth
Toxic color TVs and computer monitors
High concentrations of lead can leach from the X-ray-filtering glass used in picture tubes, suggesting that this glass should be treated as hazardous waste.
- Earth
Prenatal exposures affect sperm later
Boys exposed in the womb to hormone-mimicking pollutants may mature into men who produce impaired sperm.
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It’s a boy! It’s a girl! It’s a mosaic embryo
Using a new technique to examine chromosomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos at the time they're implanted in the womb, researchers report abnormalities never seen later in development, possibly explaining why IVF has a low efficiency.
- Health & Medicine
Study bolsters head injury, Alzheimer’s link
Veterans who suffered a moderate or severe concussion during World War II face a heightened risk of Alzheimer's disease when they reach old age.
- Astronomy
Are most extrasolar planets hefty imposters?
A new study makes the startling claim that nearly half the objects reported to be extrasolar planets are something much more massive and mundane—either lightweight stars or stellar wannabes known as brown dwarfs.
- Animals
Dull birds and bright ones beat so-so guys
The plumage of yearling male lazuli buntings shows signs of a rare form of evolutionary pressure called disruptive selection.
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Nicotine metabolism may spawn carcinogen
The body may metabolize nicotine into products that the lungs subsequently may convert into a potent compound that causes lung cancer.
- Materials Science
Crystal puts pressure on diamonds
A new type of synthetic crystal called moissanite allows researchers to study more material at high pressure than is possible with traditional diamond devices.
