News

Physics

Physicists go totally random

Calculations suggest a way to boost the independence of information flow, a finding that could help in cryptography.

Psychology

When good moods go decisively bad

Positive feelings may lead seniors to weigh fewer options and make poorer choices in some situations.

Humans

Crime numbers may mislead

Criminologists argue that city safety rankings should consider underreporting and other sources of error in compiling statistics.

Earth

Study keeps pace with Greenland glaciers

Herky-jerky motion of the island’s ice suggests that melting ice is unlikely to contribute to dramatic sea level rise this century, but the news isn’t all good.

Astronomy

A star is torn

A black hole’s stellar feast is witnessed by telescopes on Earth and in orbit.

Astronomy

Ancient scribes may have banked on blinking binary

For the Egyptians, luck may have been written in the Demon Star.

Health & Medicine

Protein tweak may trigger Alzheimer’s

An unusual version of the disease-linked amyloid-beta molecule sows destruction in mouse brains.

Life

Controversial flu research published

One of two papers detailing airborne H5N1 experiments is released.

Health & Medicine

Weight loss reduces cancer risk factor

Indicators of inflammation drop with diet and weight loss.

Life

Tree cricket song has note of variability

Wings’ length, individual segments allow species to produce mating calls in range of frequencies.

Life

Shot may top acupuncture for pain relief

Carefully placed enzyme injection has a long-lasting effect in mice.

Earth

Oceans’ salinity changed over last half-century

Warmer atmosphere may be to blame for changes in the water cycle.