News
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SpacePlanet hidden in Hubble archives
A new way to process images reveals an extrasolar planet that had been hiding in an 11-year-old Hubble picture. The technique could shed new light on other telescope images as well.
By Ron Cowen -
AnthropologyModern feet step back 1.5 million years
Researchers say that 1.5-million-year-old footprints discovered in eastern Africa show that a human ancestor had modern-looking feet and walked much like people do today.
By Bruce Bower -
Health & MedicineWhat’s good for the heart is good for the prostate
A new study finds that lower cholesterol levels slow the growth of prostate tumors in mice.
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Health & MedicineStick to a low-cal diet and it will work
Summary: Overweight people on low-calorie diets lose weight equally well despite differences in how much fat, protein or carbohydrates the diet allows.
By Nathan Seppa -
LifePrions complicit in Alzheimer’s disease
A study in mice suggests a version of prion proteins, which are known to cause the brain-wasting mad cow and Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases, may also play a role in neuron malfunction.
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LifeNew stegosaur is quite a stretch
A newly discovered stegosaur has neck proportions like those of sauropods.
By Sid Perkins -
AnimalsClimate change discourages second families
Birds out of sync with local baby food supply of caterpillars aren’t nesting a second time.
By Susan Milius -
LifeTastes like metal
Scientists have discovered that proteins that help sense sweet and spice also help taste metals.
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Health & MedicineB vitamins, folic acid may protect vision
Vitamin B and folic acid supplements might defend against macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.
By Nathan Seppa -
Health & MedicineSunshine vitamin diminishes risk of colds, flu
A study of nearly 19,000 adults shows that people with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to develop colds, flu and pneumonia.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineBreast cancer drug gets boost
Natural protein could make the most aggressive breast cancers vulnerable tamoxifen, and may even prevent the cancer’s spread.
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Health & MedicineTaking age stereotypes to heart
A long-term investigation indicates that young and middle-aged adults who hold negative attitudes about the elderly are more likely to have heart ailments and strokes later in life.
By Bruce Bower