News
- Chemistry
Not your grandpa’s smoke signals
A fuse dotted with chemicals offers a new way to code messages.
- Space
Evidence mounts for liquid interior of a Saturn moon
Plumes of Enceladus offer hints that moon is now or was in the recent past partially liquid inside.
By Ron Cowen - Health & Medicine
NFL heart profile good, with a caveat
Football players have higher blood pressure on average, new study finds.
By Nathan Seppa - Earth
A more organic meteorite
Some meteorites may contain a higher concentration of organic chemicals than previously thought.
By Sid Perkins - Life
Trees of stone tell tropical tale
Peruvian petrified forest offers insight into low-latitude conditions of millions of years ago
By Sid Perkins - Life
Ocean’s gazillion
A picture of past ocean life suggests a higher capacity for marine life than what modern habitats host.
By Susan Milius - Life
Genetic analysis of swine flu virus reveals diverse parts
Detailed genetic analysis of the H1N1 swine flu virus indicates that its components have been present for years. The virus is still susceptible to drugs and vaccine development.
- Health & Medicine
Sensitivity to alcohol connected with alcoholism risk
People for whom alcohol has little effect face a greater risk of developing alcoholism than those who get drunk easily.
By Nathan Seppa - Humans
The inner worlds of conspiracy believers
A study of British volunteers finds that those who endorse 9/11 conspiracy theories also believe in other sorts of conspiracies and share certain personality characteristics.
By Bruce Bower - Chemistry
Beryllium-beryllium bond illuminated
Scientists study the partnership between two atoms of beryllium, which chemical theory says shouldn’t exist.
- Health & Medicine
Neurons take a break during stage 2 sleep
Electrical markers associated with stage 2 sleep indicate downtime for neurons.
- Animals
For some birds, chancy climates mean better singers
In the mockingbird family, the most accomplished musical species tend to live in treacherous climates.
By Susan Milius