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Anthropology

Evolution’s Lost Bite: Gene change tied to ancestral brain gains

In a controversial new report, a research team proposes that an inactivating gene mutation unique to people emerged around 2.4 million years ago and, by decreasing the size of jaw muscles, set the stage for brain expansion in our direct ancestors.

Humans

Letters from the March 27, 2004, issue of Science News

Nobody’s board The article “Danger on Deck?” (SN: 1/31/04, p. 74: Danger on Deck?), or at least part of it, could have been titled “Danger on Dock” or maybe “Danger under Dock.” After reading about how chromated-copper arsenate (CCA) is leached from the wood, I began wondering how it affects aquatic organisms. Many fish, especially […]

Archaeology

Reconstructing ancient drinking habits

A new technique involving the analysis of residue from pottery jars can discern the color of wine consumed by ancient Egyptians.

Physics

Quantum link connects light, ions

By proving experimentally for the first time that an atom and a photon can become entwined in a quantum embrace called entanglement, physicists took a step toward teleporting quantum characteristics from one atom to another.

Health & Medicine

Bug bites suggest new stroke drug

Changing a human enzyme so that it resembles one from blood-sucking insects may lead to a new treatment for strokes.

Astronomy

Andromeda’s building blocks

A radio telescope has made the first conclusive observations of gas clouds that could be the leftover building blocks of the Andromeda galaxy, the Milky Way’s closest large spiral neighbor.

Health & Medicine

Is ‘drink plenty of fluids’ good advice?

Definitive studies need to determine whether increasing fluid intake during respiratory infections is really a good idea, says a team of researchers.

Plants

Sudden oak death jumps quarantine

The funguslike microbe that causes sudden oak death has turned up on nursery plants in southern California for the first time.

Tech

Golden waves make stretchy microcircuits

Microscale wires with stretchy, wiggly shapes may prove useful for sensors and other electronic gadgets embedded in pliable or elastic items such as clothing or living tissue.

Materials Science

Forensics on Trial

A decades-long practice of matching bullets on the basis of their chemical makeup is flawed, and the story behind this forensic technique reveals how science can get distorted in the courtroom.