News

  1. The origins of immunity?

    In social amoebas, sluglike clusters of usually independent organisms, certain cells take on a protective role that hints at the origin of immune systems in higher animals.

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  2. Animals

    Tail singers

    The male Anna's hummingbird impresses females and intimidates other males by making a whipping sound with its tail feathers.

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  3. Physics

    Road Bumps: Why dirt roads develop a washboard surface

    Experiments and a computer simulation show why dirt roads develop a washboard surface, and indicate the only way to prevent it: Drive very slowly.

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  4. Depression Defense: Sick elderly get mood aid from home treatment

    Instructional therapy to promote coping strategies helps elderly people with incipient blindness ward off depression—at least in the short run.

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  5. Protein Lineages: Randomness was crucial to ancient genetic changes

    Reconstruction of an ancient protein shows how seemingly unimportant mutations paved the way for its evolution into a molecule with an essential modern role.

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  6. Materials Science

    Shocking Sheets: Power paper packs a punch

    Ultrathin sheets made from cellulose and carbon nanotubes could serve as flexible, versatile batteries.

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  7. Tech

    A Moment in the Life of a Cell: Microscopic scan images without intruding

    A laser technique similar to a CAT scan produces 3-D images of living cells without the need for chemical staining.

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  8. Health & Medicine

    Calming Factor: DNA vaccine for MS passes initial test

    A DNA vaccine against multiple sclerosis passes a safety trial and shows signs of suppressing immune-directed nerve damage.

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  9. Mood Bugs: Beetle changes color in fluid fashion

    A Central American beetle changes color in a novel way, using its body fluid to control the reflectivity of its shell.

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  10. Planetary Science

    Geyser gawker: Plans for a closer look at Enceladus

    The Cassini spacecraft will change course to take a close look next March at plumes of water vapor emanating from the south pole of Saturn's moon Enceladus.

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  11. Health & Medicine

    Anti-inflammatory prevents pancreatic cancer in mice

    An anti-inflammatory drug of the COX-2 inhibitor family blocks precancerous lesions in mice prone to pancreatic cancer.

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  12. Tech

    Uncharted atomic landscapes

    A refinement to electron microscopes enables them not only to visualize atoms but also to identify different elements.

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