News
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Health & MedicineScientists are tracking how the flu moves through a college campus
Researchers are following the spread of viruses and illness among students in a cluster of University of Maryland dorms to learn more about how the bugs infect.
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AnimalsIt’s a bad idea for a toad to swallow a bombardier beetle
Toads are tough. But there are some insects even they shouldn’t swallow.
By Susan Milius -
CosmologyThe way dwarf galaxies move puts a new spin on galaxy formation
Distant dwarf galaxies orbit a larger galaxy in a coordinated loop, rather than randomly as expected. The finding could challenge theories of dark matter.
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PhysicsLaser experiment hints at weird in-between ice
Scientists spot signs of an unusual phase of water called superionic ice.
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AstronomySome of TRAPPIST-1’s planets could have life-friendly atmospheres
The seven planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1 are probably rocky and some may have life-friendly atmospheres, two new papers suggest.
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NeuroscienceA blood test could predict the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
A blood test can predict the presence of an Alzheimer’s-related protein in the brain.
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AnimalsA peek into polar bears’ lives reveals revved-up metabolisms
Polar bears have higher metabolisms than scientists thought. In a world with declining Arctic sea ice, that could spell trouble.
By Susan Milius -
TechNew laser emits a more stable, energy-efficient light beam
A new type of laser could emit more stable, energy-efficient light beams than its conventional counterparts.
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PhysicsGravity doesn’t leak into large, hidden dimensions
Gravitational waves from a recently observed neutron star merger offer no evidence of large, unknown dimensions.
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Health & MedicineZika may not be the only virus of its kind that can damage a fetus
Zika may not be alone among flaviviruses in its ability to harm a developing fetus, a new study in mice finds.
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EarthGassy farm soils are a shockingly large source of these air pollutants
California’s farm soils produce a surprisingly large amount of smog-causing air pollutants.
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ArchaeologySharp stones found in India signal surprisingly early toolmaking advances
Toolmaking revolution reached what’s now India before Homo sapiens did, a new study suggests.
By Bruce Bower