News
-
Dementia warning
A long-term study of people ages 65 and older in England and Wales indicates that the prevalence of brain disorders of memory and thinking, including Alzheimer's disease, increases sharply in aging populations.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
Curry may counter cognitive decline
A chemical found in turmeric may prevent cognitive impairment.
By Ben Harder - Health & Medicine
Abated Breath: Serotonin problems may contribute to SIDS
Babies who die of sudden infant death syndrome show abnormalities in the regulation of the chemical serotonin in their brains.
- Astronomy
Rejuvenating Observatory: Green light given for space telescope repairs
NASA this week gave the go-ahead for a shuttle crew to refurbish the Hubble Space Telescope and to install new detectors that would vastly improve its capabilities.
By Ron Cowen - Earth
Flow West, Young River: Ancient Amazon ran opposite today’s route
The forerunner of the mighty Amazon ran from east to west, a new analysis of rocks laid down by that ancient river suggests.
By Sid Perkins - Health & Medicine
L’Chaim: Wine compound lengthens mouse lives
A constituent of red wine appears to increase the life spans and boost the well-being of mice that haven't followed the healthiest of lifestyles.
- Materials Science
Dribble Quibble: Experiments find that new basketball gets slick
According to preliminary results from a study at a physics lab, a new basketball for professional players bounces less elastically, veers more when it bounces, and becomes more slippery when damp than does a leather ball.
By Peter Weiss - Health & Medicine
Helping Hands: Brief rehab method aids arm activity after stroke
Stroke survivors who have difficulty using an arm or a hand experience lasting mobility gains after completing an unusual 2-week rehabilitation program.
By Bruce Bower - Astronomy
A Swarm of Umbrellas vs. Global Warming: Astronomer thinks small to save Earth
A trillion miniature spacecraft could provide a giant sunshade for Earth, significantly reducing global warming.
By Ron Cowen - Ecosystems
Worthless waters
The biological riches of the oceans will be spent within decades if current trends continue.
By Ben Harder - Astronomy
Web Special: Hubble Repair Mission Is a Go
After several years of uncertainty following the Columbia shuttle disaster, NASA this week gave the go-ahead for a shuttle crew to replace and repair parts on the 16-year-old Hubble Space Telescope.
By Ron Cowen -
Mom’s caffeine harms pups’ brain cells
Rats born to mothers who drank caffeinated beverages throughout their pregnancies had abnormal brain-cell function.