News
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EarthUnintended consequences
A full recovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica in the coming years could significantly boost warming of the atmosphere over and around the icy continent.
By Sid Perkins -
Health & MedicineNo babies, no hormones
A radically different form of contraception would prevent pregnancies with small molecules of RNA.
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SpaceBefore the beginning
A new analysis suggests that the universe exists within a bigger space.
By Ron Cowen -
Planetary ScienceShake, shake, shake
Instrument succeeds in capturing first soil sample, allowing Mars Phoenix Lander team to begin scientific studies.
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AstronomyFrom planet to plutoid
Pluto and its dwarf planet neighbors are christened plutoids, the International Astronomical Union rules.
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Health & MedicineVirus versus virus
Customized RNA snippets delivered by a harmless virus could someday provide a new way to combat the hepatitis B virus.
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Health & MedicineSeeing disease’s acidic side
Small tumors can be detected using a new technique that safely, reliably and noninvasively measures tissue chemistry.
By Amy Maxmen -
ClimateGoldilocks tree leaves
Leaves mostly keep their cool (or warmth) wherever they live, a finding that might affect reconstructions of past climates.
By Susan Milius -
PhysicsLife’s code in soap
The mathematics of soapy water yields some clues to the origin of the genetic code.
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HumansSymbolic snacks
Capuchin monkeys can reason with tokens as they do with different foods, demonstrating a basic capacity for thinking symbolically.
By Bruce Bower -
Health & MedicineParasite payback
The protozoan parasite that causes leishmaniasis seems vulnerable to the anticancer drug tamoxifen, research in mice shows.
By Nathan Seppa -
PhysicsSuction hunters
Scientists reveal new details on how extendable jaws help fish capture prey.