Uncategorized
- Humans
Letters from the December 4, 2004, issue of Science News
Shouting about decaf? As a decaf drinker, I found myself shouting, “What about caffeine”?” as I read “Coffee’s curious heart effects” (SN: 10/2/04, p. 222: Coffee’s curious heart effects). How can any report not, at least, mention its involvement or lack thereof? Greg TulloRaleigh, N.C. Researcher Pertti Happonen suspects that caffeine was responsible for the […]
By Science News - Health & Medicine
Antioxidant Booster: Protein curbs lung damage caused by smoke
A protein called Nrf2 defends against emphysema by activating dozens of genes that combat free radicals and toxic pollutants, a study in mice suggests.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Stones-Be-Gone: Gene-targeting drug restores chemical balance protecting the gallbladder
A drug tested in mice prevents gallstones by stimulating a gene that controls levels of different chemicals in the gallbladder.
By David Shiga - Anthropology
South American Surprise: Ancient farmers settled in Uruguay’s wetlands
The discovery of a 4,200-year-old farming settlement in Uruguay challenges traditional notions of where early South American societies took root.
By Bruce Bower - Animals
Grow-Slow Potion: Pheromone keeps bee youngsters youthful
Researchers have identified a compound made by the senior workers in a honeybee colony that prolongs the time that teenage bees stay home babysitting.
By Susan Milius -
19489
Since “women with chronically ill children generally reported more stress” and since “there was a very striking connection between stress and telomere length,” isn’t it probable that there is a strong connection between telomere length and becoming the parent of a chronically ill child? I would be interested to learn whether the connection between stress […]
By Science News -
Stressed to Death: Mental tension ages cells
Prolonged stress can cause cells to age faster than normal.
- Earth
Snow Blow: Image of Mount Everest from orbit captures enormous plume
A photograph from Earth orbit of an immense plume of snow wafting from Mount Everest could shed new light on how strong winds redistribute precipitation in the Himalayas and other mountain chains.
By Sid Perkins -
19488
I love Science News. Now and then, however, you write in terms that aren’t understandable to the average reader. I refer in particular to (the article above). It states that “weather models suggest winds atop the peak exceeded 50 meters per second.” I dare say that to 99 percent of your readers, like myself, that’s […]
By Science News - Health & Medicine
Extensive test shows cholera vaccine works
A vaccine for cholera has proved up to 81 percent effective in a large-scale public health trial in Mozambique.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Soldiers in Iraq coming down with parasitic disease
Hundreds of U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have contracted leishmaniasis, a parasite-borne disease that attacks the skin.
By Nathan Seppa - Humans
Science News of the Year 2000
A review of important scientific achievements reported in Science News during the year 2000.
By Science News