Uncategorized
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ChemistryVolcanoes aren’t a big source of CFCs
Ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere come mainly from human-made sources, not from volcanoes as some have suggested.
By Corinna Wu -
Testosterone shows hurtful, helpful sides
A small but significant portion of men taking large doses of testosterone experience mania, although moderate doses of the male sex hormone show promise in boosting the mood and sex drive of HIV-infected men.
By Bruce Bower -
Health & MedicinePancreatic enzymes may play role in shock
Pancreatic enzymes used for digestion may cause shock when they leach out of the small intestine and form a substance that activates white blood cells.
By Nathan Seppa -
AstronomyA possible signal from Polar Lander
Astronomers may have heard a faint signal from the vanished Mars Polar Lander spacecraft last month but, as of mid-February, have not detected another.
By Ron Cowen -
AstronomyA chance to point Hubble
Get out your heavenly wish list: Astronomers working with the Hubble Space Telescope are soliciting suggestions for where to point the orbiting observatory this summer.
By Ron Cowen -
Protein may help the eyes tell time
A human version of melanopsin, originally found in the skin, eyes, and brains of frogs, has been discovered in the inner retina and may be the long-sought photoreceptor for the human biological clock.
By John Travis -
Nogo makes cord regrowth a no go
Researchers have identified the gene for a protein that inhibits the regrowth of nerves in the spinal cord.
By John Travis -
ChemistryGlowing bacteria gobble gook in soil
A genetically engineered bacterium lights up as it breaks down organic contaminants in soil.
By Corinna Wu -
ChemistryDon’t eat the pepper-flavored paint
A derivative of the spicy chemical in chili peppers could find its way into a variety of products, including veterinary sutures and fiber optic cables.
By Corinna Wu -
AstronomyRevved-Up Universe
Astronomers are busy testing the seemingly bizarre notion that the expansion of the universe is accelerating.
By Ron Cowen -
Keeping Bugs from Pumping Drugs
Researchers hope that attacking the machinery some microbes use to pump antimicrobial agents out of their cells may help deal with the increasing problem of drug resistance.
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Health & MedicineResearchers Probe Cell-Phone Effects
Scientists are trying to find out whether biological changes associated with cell-phone use represent health risks.
By Janet Raloff