Uncategorized
- Anthropology
When female chimps become baby killers
Although long thought to be rare, instances in which female chimps band together to kill other females' infants occur fairly regularly under certain circumstances.
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19837
As I read this article, I wondered if the sex of the killed infant was determined. In a troop characterized as having a disproportionate number of females, could it be that the chimps are selectively killing females in an attempt to balance sexes in the group? Eliza GouverneurPrinceton, N.J.
- Health & Medicine
Migraines in men linked to heart attack risk
Men who experience migraine headaches are somewhat more likely to have heart attacks than are other men.
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19836
This article states that although men who suffer from migraines are more likely to experience heart attacks, scientists have failed to find a biological mechanism linking them. Such a link seems to be suggested in an earlier Science News article, “A Gasping Heart” (SN: 4/7/07, p. 218), which states that a patent foramen ovale is […]
- Tech
Reaching for Rays
Harnessing the sun's rays cheaply and efficiently could address the planet's energy needs.
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19835
When this article says that “scientists don’t expect traditional silicon-based solar cells to become competitive with fossil fuels,” one has to ask, “Ever?” Can anyone accurately predict the future price of polysilicon or of fossil fuels? Peter A. KaczowkaLenox, Mass. Your article notes as a put-down that it would be necessary to build a 1-gigawatt […]
- Health & Medicine
Dangerous History
The genome of the TB bacterium has small but significant pockets of diversity, giving scientists new targets for preventing and treating the disease.
- Math
Covering New Ground with Polygons
Mathematicians can cover larger areas than they'd realized using polygons with fixed diameters.
- Humans
Letters from the May 26, 2007, issue of Science News
It’s cold out there I couldn’t help noticing the last sentence of “World’s climate map gets an update” (SN: 3/24/07, p. 190): “One of the system’s 30 possible climate subtypes—a temperate climate with a cold, dry summer—wasn’t found anywhere on Earth.” The comment reveals that the writer has never read Mark Twain’s comment that the […]
- Humans
From the May 15, 1937, issue
A new seat of learning, hazards to workers, and a machine with feeling.
- Health & Medicine
Cancer Risk—Understanding the Puzzle
The news is filled with stories about cancer risk. Some of the information can be confusing and contradictory. How do you know what to believe? This new Web site from the National Cancer Institute cuts through the hype to help you understand the plain and simple truth about cancer risk. Go to: http://understandingrisk.cancer.gov
- Chemistry
Cleaning Treasures: Safer solvents for restoring frescoes
Solvents in nanoscale droplets can be used to clean centuries-old frescoes, saving them from the unintended consequences of previous restorations.
