News

Anthropology

Mexican find reveals ancient dental work

A 4,500-year-old human skeleton found in Mexico represents the earliest instance in the Americas of intentionally modified teeth, apparently to create space for a ceremonial mouthpiece.

Paleontology

Sticky Subjects: Insights into ancient spider diet, kinship

Remnants of a spider web embedded in ancient amber suggest that some spiders' diets haven't changed much in millions of years.

Earth

Toxic Leftovers: Microbes convert flame retardant

Bacteria can break down a common flame retardant into more-toxic forms.

Ecosystems

A Chronicle of Coasts: Study charts historical changes in seas, estuaries

New research compares the long-term ecological impact of human activities in estuaries and coastal seas on three continents.

Animals

Fishy Reputations: Undersea watchers choose helpers that do good jobs

Coral reef fish use smart-shopper techniques of looking for satisfied customers before choosing a small fish to provide cleaning services.

Health & Medicine

Proof of Protection: Condoms limit infection by cervical cancer virus

Condom use reduces a woman's risk of being infected with human papillomavirus and of developing precancerous growths on the cervix.

Astronomy

Magnetic Thrust: Fields force matter into black holes

New observations confirm that magnetic fields provide matter with the last push to plunge into a black hole.

Health & Medicine

Antidepressant drugs show link to diabetes

People taking antidepressant medication might be at increased risk of developing diabetes.

Health & Medicine

New drugs reduce blood sugar

Two experimental drugs can lower blood sugar significantly in people with type 2 diabetes.

Health & Medicine

Glucosamine isn’t at fault

The popular dietary supplement glucosamine doesn't cause insulin resistance, the precursor of type 2 diabetes.