News
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Trilayer graphene exhibits quantum effect
Three could be the magic number for making spintronic devices from thin carbon sheets.
By Devin Powell - Chemistry
Miracle fruit secret revealed
Bizarre berry works by sensitizing the tongue's sweet sensors to acidic flavors.
- Health & Medicine
B12 shortage linked to cognitive problems
Subtle B12 deficiency plagues a surprising share of the elderly and may harm the brain, studies suggest.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
Nose divides sweet from foul
The way scent-detection machinery is laid out suggests that people are born with some innate olfactory preferences.
By Nick Bascom - Physics
Neutrinos seen to fly faster than light
Though few physicists expect it to withstand scrutiny, confirmation of the observation would shake physics to its core.
By Devin Powell - Earth
Pole flips tied to plate tectonics
A lopsided arrangement of continents could lead to reversals in Earth's magnetic field.
- Life
Penguins may sniff out relatives
A zoo study sees hints of odor-based kin recognition in colony-dwelling birds.
By Susan Milius - Life
XMRV tie to chronic fatigue debunked
A virus that was tied to the mysterious syndrome by 2009 research appears to have been a laboratory contaminant.
- Humans
Humans reached Asia in two waves
New genetic data show that some early migrants interbred with a mysterious Neandertal sister group.
By Bruce Bower - Chemistry
Science gets the deets on DEET
New research demonstrates how insect repellent may mix up mosquitoes’ smelling machinery.
- Health & Medicine
Ringing in ears may have deeper source
Tinnitus results from the brain’s effort to compensate for hearing loss, a study concludes.
- Health & Medicine
Preterm infants show mortality risks as children, adults
Death rates are higher in preemies than full-term babies when these people reach early adulthood, a large study finds.
By Nathan Seppa