Uncategorized
- Physics
Science Stimulus
Researchers look to the new administration to bring fresh perspectives to health, energy, climate policy and science funding.
By Janet Raloff - Anthropology
Modern feet step back 1.5 million years
Researchers say that 1.5-million-year-old footprints discovered in eastern Africa show that a human ancestor had modern-looking feet and walked much like people do today.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
What’s good for the heart is good for the prostate
A new study finds that lower cholesterol levels slow the growth of prostate tumors in mice.
- Health & Medicine
Stick to a low-cal diet and it will work
Summary: Overweight people on low-calorie diets lose weight equally well despite differences in how much fat, protein or carbohydrates the diet allows.
By Nathan Seppa - Life
Prions complicit in Alzheimer’s disease
A study in mice suggests a version of prion proteins, which are known to cause the brain-wasting mad cow and Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases, may also play a role in neuron malfunction.
- Life
New stegosaur is quite a stretch
A newly discovered stegosaur has neck proportions like those of sauropods.
By Sid Perkins - Animals
Climate change discourages second families
Birds out of sync with local baby food supply of caterpillars aren’t nesting a second time.
By Susan Milius - Life
Tastes like metal
Scientists have discovered that proteins that help sense sweet and spice also help taste metals.
- Math
Mathematician answers Supreme Court plea
New, fair method for dividing states into congressional districts could reduce political squabbles.
- Health & Medicine
B vitamins, folic acid may protect vision
Vitamin B and folic acid supplements might defend against macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Sunshine vitamin diminishes risk of colds, flu
A study of nearly 19,000 adults shows that people with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to develop colds, flu and pneumonia.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
Breast cancer drug gets boost
Natural protein could make the most aggressive breast cancers vulnerable tamoxifen, and may even prevent the cancer’s spread.