News
- Life
Smell deals with deprivation differently
One odor-related brain region called the orbitofrontal cortex keeps the sense primed for resumed input during a cold.
- Humans
Good times led to grisly custom
Ancient Chileans developed artificial mummification after an increase in the numbers of living and dead people made naturally preserved bodies hard to ignore.
- Physics
Molecules get a big chill
A new cooling method takes big groups of atoms closer to long-sought temperatures for exploring the nature of matter.
- Tech
Camera hack can spot cleaned-up crimes
Exploiting a standard tool of art conservation can help police find painted-over bloodstains.
- Chemistry
Method puts wrinkles in neat little rows
MIT researchers have discovered how to create perfect patterns of microscopic wrinkles.
- Earth
Global groundwater use outpaces supply
Footprint measure reveals unsustainable use of the world’s aquifers.
- Chemistry
Scaffolding props up failing hearts
Hydrogel treatment stimulates cell repair and blood vessel regrowth in pig experiments.
- Humans
New fossils hint at ancestral split
Jaw and face bones suggest two Homo species lived in East Africa nearly 2 million years ago.
- Health & Medicine
Thinner isn’t always better in diabetes
Normal-weight people who develop diabetes have higher mortality than people who are overweight or obese at the disease’s onset
- Planetary Science
Wheels down, Mars rover takes in the view
After a safe landing, NASA’s Curiosity begins transmitting images back to Earth.
- Humans
North African Diaspora written in genes
DNA analysis of people from 15 groups identifies distinct groups and migrations.
- Health & Medicine
Monkey brains sensitive to others’ flubs
Some of the brain’s nerve cells are programmed to light up only upon witnessing another’s error.
