News

Earth

Antibacterial agent can weaken muscle

Triclosan impairs the power of the heart and other muscles in two species and at relatively low doses.

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.