News
- Health & Medicine
Downside of red-hot chili peppers
In the wild, a culinary kick comes with risks to the plant.
By Susan Milius - Life
Mosquito fish count comrades to stay alive
New experiments indicate that mosquito fish can count small numbers of companions swimming in different groups, an ability that apparently evolved to assist these fish in avoiding predators.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
A role for Merkels
Mysterious skin cells known as Merkel cells are required to sense light touches.
- Climate
Carbon dioxide not to blame in ice age mystery
Scientists look at seafloor sediments to determine that a long-term decline in carbon dioxide is not the reason for less frequent ice ages.
By Sid Perkins - Health & Medicine
Gene silencing in colorectal cancer may prove useful
Genetic irregularity in colorectal cancer cells might serve as a biomarker of risk for this malignancy.
By Nathan Seppa - Astronomy
Supernova may be in a new class
A recently discovered stellar explosion may be part of a new class of supernova.
By Ron Cowen - Paleontology
Bird in the hand
Fossilized fingers strengthen evolutionary link between dinosaurs and avian relatives.
By Sid Perkins - Tech
Proposed quantum motor runs with a kick
Scientists suggest a way to put ultracold atoms to work.
- Earth
White House releases report on climate change
A new White House report addresses current and projected impacts of climate change across the United States.
By Sid Perkins - Health & Medicine
Gene plus stress equals depression debate
A reanalysis of data challenges a prominent report that a particular gene variant interacts with stressful experiences to promote depression, sparking controversy.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
CT scan nearly as good as regular colonoscopy
Virtual colonoscopy might suffice for people at high risk of colorectal cancer, a new study finds.
By Nathan Seppa -