Uncategorized
- Animals
Snake Pits: Viper heat sensors locate cool spots
Scientists who glued aluminum foil and plastic balls to live rattlesnakes say that snakes use their heat-sensing organs for more than hunting prey.
By Susan Milius - Astronomy
Stellar Top: Astronomers find a squashed star
Astronomers have found a rapidly spinning, squashed star that is more than 1.5 times as wide as it is tall.
By Ron Cowen - Physics
Hot Mama: Has matter’s mother paid a call?
Physicists have found new signs that fiery particle collisions within a giant accelerator 2 years ago created a state of matter identical to what might have been the stuff of the newborn universe.
By Peter Weiss - Health & Medicine
MRI detects missed breast cancers
Magnetic resonance imaging detects breast cancer better than does mammography and might be preferable for certain women at high risk.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Cancer vaccine gets first test in patients
The first clinical test of a cancer vaccine that targets a protein called carcinoembryonic antigen shows promise.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Early cancer therapy and heart problems
Pediatric cancer treatment with chest radiation or anthracyclines can cause a heightened risk of heart disease at an earlier age than previously believed.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Gene profiles might guide chemotherapy
Profiles of genetic variations in cancer patients could help oncologists predict the outcome of chemotherapy.
By Nathan Seppa -
Brain perks up to uncertain threats
The brain shows particular sensitivity to facial expressions that convey vague threats.
By Bruce Bower - Plants
Sun-tracking dads make better pollen
In one of the first tests of paternal behavior in plants, snow buttercups that were allowed to follow their natural tendency to track sun movement made more-viable pollen than did tethered blooms.
By Susan Milius - Materials Science
Material mimics mother-of-pearl in form and substance
A new synthetic material is so strong and tough that it might one day be used to construct artificial bones or even auto parts.
- Astronomy
Telescope spies a galactic satellite
A huge gas cloud once considered a remnant from when the Milky Way or nearby galaxies formed is, in fact, a satellite of our galaxy.
By Ron Cowen - Astronomy
Mystery in the Middle
The Milky Way's core is loaded with seemingly young stars, which have no business being there.
By Ron Cowen