Uncategorized

  1. Humans

    Letters from the July 8, 2006, issue of Science News

    The grammar gene? While reading that starlings may be capable of discerning grammatical patterns (“Grammar’s for the Birds: Human-only language rule? Tell starlings,” SN: 4/29/06, p. 261), I recalled the FOXP2 gene. The gene seems to be involved in the development of areas of the brain involved in speech in humans. Variants of FOXP2 were […]

    By Science News
  2. Math

    Bending a Soccer Ball

    Mathematics suggests a variety of alternative designs for soccer balls.

    By Ivars Peterson
  3. Archaeology

    Shells may represent oldest known beads

    Researchers have identified three perforated shells dating to around 100,000 years ago as beads, making these finds the oldest known examples of personal decoration.