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Health & Medicine

Statins may improve erectile function

Although doctors had been concerned that statins were associated with erectile dysfunction, an analysis of 14 studies finds that the drugs may actually help erectile function.

Health & Medicine

Celiac disease linked to heart problems

Inflammation may explain the link between celiac disease, a digestive disorder, and coronary artery disease.

Science & Society

Misconduct found in Japanese stem cell research

An investigation into reports describing a type of stem cells called STAP cells has found that the lead researcher is guilty of scientific misconduct.

Genetics

Neandertal legacy written in Europeans’ fat metabolism

DNA inherited from Neandertal interbreeding may have helped people adjust to Europe’s environment.

Animals

Zebra stripes may be mainly defense against flies

The function of zebra stripes may not be for camouflage or cooling, a new analysis finds.

Earth

Evolution of river systems

A river’s erosion downward and across a landscape is based on a variety of factors, including terrain steepness and the arrangement of tributaries.

Psychology

Twenty-two emotions are written on our faces

People’s faces express at least 22 feelings – far more than the six emotions scientists previously recognized.

Health & Medicine

Daylight saving time linked to heart attacks

Hospital admissions for heart attacks increases after daylight savings time starts, a study suggests.

Tech

Mindless: Why Smarter Machines are Making Dumber Humans

Simon Head argues that computer business systems leave middle managers and workers with little creative latitude. They acquire fewer skills and their wages stagnate, hurting their job quality and buying power.

Neuroscience

Ha! The Science of When We Laugh and Why

Scott Weems, a neuroscientist, takes readers on a wide-ranging tour that explains what humor is and why readers should care.

Astronomy

This winter warrior made the gravitational waves discovery possible

Engineer Steffen Richter played an important role in the recent gravitational waves discovery, wintering at the Amundsen-Scott research station at the South Pole and making daily treks to keep the BICEP2 telescope running.

Materials Science

Light filter lets rays through from only one direction

Angle-sensitive light filter could improve photography, telescopes and solar energy harvesting.