News
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SpaceSpacecraft takes express tour of Martian moon
New images and gravity data reveal details about the origin and composition of Phobos.
By Ron Cowen -
LifeTo catch a thief, follow his filthy hands
Bacteria from a person’s hands may provide a new type of fingerprint.
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EcosystemsIron fertilization in ocean nourishes toxic algae
Efforts to prevent global warming by fertilizing the oceans with iron could trigger harmful algal blooms.
By Sid Perkins -
PsychologySoothing start to childhood weight problems
Pacifying infants with food may raise likelihood of later obesity.
By Bruce Bower -
HumansBabies see human hand behind ordered events
Experiments find that infants attribute actions to people.
By Bruce Bower -
PlantsChemists pin down poppy’s tricks for making morphine
Scientists have figured out two of the final key steps in the chain of chemical reactions that the opium poppy uses to synthesize morphine, suggesting possible signaling strategies for new ways of making the drug and its cousin painkillers.
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ChemistryPit vipers’ night vision explained
A new study finds the protein responsible for snakes’ sense of heat.
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Science & SocietyDon’t know much about…
A measure of U.S. science literacy has increased - to 28%
By Janet Raloff -
HumansOne key to teaching toddlers with TV: trickery
Kids under 3 can learn from educational videos if they believe what they’re seeing is real.
By Bruce Bower -
HumansYoung science scholars to be recognized
Finalists in the Science Talent Search are in Washington, D.C., to present their research; winners are to be announced March 16.
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PhysicsSupertwisty light proposed
Researchers suggest a never-before-imagined property of electromagnetic fields that could one day yield new types of sensors.
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LifeIngredients of hagfish slime revealed
Figuring out the ingredients still doesn’t explain how the fishes avoid premature mucus explosions
By Susan Milius