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  1. Health & Medicine

    Gene therapy thwarts hepatitis C in mice

    Gene therapy that induces infected liver cells to self-destruct slows hepatitis C dramatically in mice.

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  2. Physics

    Taking a shine to number 100

    Scientists for the first time literally shed light on the properties of radioactive fermium.

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  3. 19323

    For those of us who know how to draw and understand the varieties of linear perspective, David Hockney’s proposal that the old masters used optical aids rings true. One of his examples will suffice: The uncanny accuracy of difficult-to-depict patterns in folding cloth in works of the early 1400s is an indication that optical aids […]

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  4. Physics

    Reflections on Art

    By dissecting famous paintings in new ways, scientists are testing the veracity of artist David Hockney's controversial theory that some masters of Renaissance art secretly used optical projection devices.

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  5. Math

    Measuring with Jugs

    Given a 5-liter jug, a 3-liter jug, and an unlimited supply of water, how do you measure out exactly 4 liters? In her book In Code: A Mathematical Journey, Sarah Flannery gives this classic brainteaser as an example of the sorts of playful puzzles that her father, a mathematics lecturer at the Cork Institute of […]

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  6. Physics

    Light Switch: Crystal flaws tune the wavelengths

    By tweaking the crystal structure of the semiconductor gallium arsenide, researchers may have found a way to make cheaper components for fiberoptic networks.

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  7. Health & Medicine

    Flawed Therapy: Hormone replacement takes more hits

    Elderly women taking estrogen and progestin are more likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and stroke than are women not taking the hormones.

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  8. Gut Check

    The normal microbial inhabitants of our intestines do a lot for their host.

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  9. Astronomy

    Red Team, Blue Team: Galaxy survey shows that color matters

    Using the largest survey of galaxies ever compiled, astronomers have found that the cosmos divides sharply along color lines.

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  10. Planetary Science

    New view of Earth

    On May 8, 2003, scientists pointed a camera on board the Mars Global Surveyor probe back at Earth and captured the first image from another planet that shows our world as more than a point of light.

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  11. Memorable Shot: Smallpox vaccine has lasting effect

    People vaccinated against smallpox decades ago may retain significant immunity to the virus that causes the disease.

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  12. Agriculture

    Mad Cow Future: Tests explore next generation of defenses

    As Canadian health officials investigate mad cow disease within the country's borders, researchers are already working on the next generation of defenses.

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