Uncategorized
- Life
To cook up life, just add citrate
The theory that RNA spawned the first organisms gets a boost from a common compound.
By Sam Lemonick - Astronomy
Comet ISON approaches sun for Thanksgiving flyby
On Thanksgiving, Comet ISON will pass near the sun and may disintegrate.
- Planetary Science
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot explained
A computer simulation is the first to explain how Jupiter’s Great Red Spot has survived for the nearly 200 years humans have observed it.
- Space
Making the most of zero gravity
Astronaut and author Chris Hadfield discusses life in, and after, space.
By Andrew Grant - Life
Compounds defeat malaria at every step
Experimental drugs are first to kill all stages of the parasite’s infection cycle.
By Beth Mole - Health & Medicine
Simple dietary supplements could help stave off AIDS
Many people newly infected with HIV stayed healthy on regimen involving multivitamins and selenium.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Thalidomide treats Crohn’s disease
Study of children with the inflammatory bowel disorder raises possibility of new use for tainted drug.
By Nathan Seppa - Animals
Odd head of seahorse cloaks its sneak attacks
Head shape creates hydrodynamic fake-out for stealth hunting.
By Susan Milius - Materials Science
Material inspired by dragonfly wings bursts bacteria
Silicon studded with nanostructures could act as antimicrobial coating on medical devices.
By Beth Mole - Archaeology
Early shrine unearthed at Nepal Buddhist site
Ritual structure could help pin down when the sage known as the Buddha lived in South Asia.
By Bruce Bower - Climate
Methane emissions may be far higher than estimated
U.S. fossil fuel and cattle industries may emit far more methane than government estimates indicate.
- Health & Medicine
Whooping cough vaccine may still allow some level of infection
Animal tests show pertussis shots stave off symptoms but allow spread of the bacteria.
By Nathan Seppa