News
- Health & Medicine
Dual Role: Painkiller may affect brain
A class of drugs being developed to block pain could obstruct memory formation as well.
By Amy Maxmen - Anthropology
Small Wonders: Tiny islanders elevate ‘hobbit’ debate
The discovery in two South Pacific caves of bones from an extinct group of half-size humans has fueled the already heated scientific debate over the evolutionary identity of so-called hobbit remains from Indonesia.
By Bruce Bower - Animals
Gator Aids: Gators squish lungs around to dive and roll
Alligator researchers say they have discovered a new role for lungs as maneuvering aids under water.
By Susan Milius -
Common Age: Worms, yeast, and people share genes for aging
Roundworms, yeast, and humans share more than a dozen genes linked to aging.
- Earth
Weather maker
The North Atlantic's Gulf Stream affects the overlying atmosphere more strongly than previously suspected.
By Sid Perkins - Health & Medicine
Roll Up Your Sleeve: Hypertension vaccine passes early test
An angiotensin vaccine stifles high blood pressure in an early test in people.
By Nathan Seppa - Astronomy
State of the Universe: Microwave glow powers cosmic insights
Radiation left over from the Big Bang offers researchers unprecedented cosmic understanding.
By Ron Cowen - Plants
City life changes style of weed seeds
City living pushes for rapid evolution in the seed strategy of a little yellow flower along French sidewalks.
By Susan Milius - Health & Medicine
New technique brings Parkinson’s treatment closer
An efficient technique to make dopamine-producing nerve cells from human embryonic stem cells could mark a step toward devising therapies for Parkinson's disease.
- Health & Medicine
Exercises counteract lazy eye
Amblyopia, or lazy eye, can be reversed in adults with visual task exercises.
By Nathan Seppa -
Pick a photo, any photo
An fMRI scan of the brain can tell what photograph a subject is looking at.
- Materials Science
Cellulose that stiffens and softens
A material inspired by sea cucumbers morphs from rigid to soft.