Uncategorized
- Humans
Letters from the May 29, 2004, issue of Science News
Judging by science “Forensics on Trial” (SN: 3/27/04, p. 202: Forensics on Trial) was an eye-opener. Our courts may be accepting many analytical techniques that haven’t been adequately validated. We should be careful, especially where the death penalty is involved, not to be guilty of hubris in the application of scientific knowledge. Bob SauerPrinceton, Mass. […]
- Humans
Famous Engineers
Did you know that Scott Adams, cartoonist and creator of Dilbert, has an engineering background? Others who have been engineers or have an engineering background include astronaut Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon, as well as film director Alfred Hitchcock, former Dallas football coach Tom Landry, and television talk show host Montel […]
- Humans
Travels with the War Goddess
A botany expedition to Samoa turns out to be as much about the people as about the plants.
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I felt that this article treated the customs and people of Samoa with disrespect and patronized their cultural ways. Robert OliverTucson, Ariz. I must commend you on the article. Its combination of sensitivity and science reminds me of why I studied science in the first place (too long ago). Tom JenkinsSan Francisco, Calif.
- Health & Medicine
Cutting blood supply to kill off fat
Killing the blood vessels that sustain fat tissue causes obese mice to lose weight.
- Chemistry
Strange brew brings inorganic chemicals to life
A mixture of inorganic chemicals spontaneously forms cell-like structures that behave like tiny chemical reactors.
- Health & Medicine
Estrogen loss induces lung disease in mice
Estrogen loss hampers lung function in mice by sabotaging the alveoli, the tiny sacs that deliver oxygen-rich air to the bloodstream.
- Astronomy
Live! Venus’ transit on the Web
On June 8, astronomers in Europe plan to Webcast observations of the transit of Venus, the first time the planet has passed across the face of the sun as seen from Earth in 122 years.
- Health & Medicine
Folate enrichment pays baby dividends
The federally mandated fortification of grain-based foods with folic acid has led to a 25 percent drop in the rate of potentially life-threatening neural tube birth defects.
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Worm life span set by chromosome tips
For worms, longer chromosome tips mean longer lives.
- Earth
Global Vineyard
Recognizing that continued climate change may leave some renowned grape-growing regions too hot or too dry to support vineyards, growers may turn to new technology and techniques to produce consistently better fruit.
- Anthropology
Out on a Limb
The science of body development may make kindling out of evolutionary trees.
