Uncategorized

  1. Psychology

    Farming practices have shaped thinking styles

    The different levels of cooperation required to grow rice and wheat have sown psychological differences within China and possibly between East Asia and the West.

    By Bruce Bower
  2. Animals

    Everyday electronics may upset birds’ compass

    Weak electromagnetic waves, coming from normal university activities, interfere with European robins’ migratory orientation.

    By Susan Milius
  3. Health & Medicine

    Poor ventilation in schools may spur TB spread

    Researchers found high carbon dioxide levels in South African classrooms, suggesting that poor ventilation may contribute to tuberculosis transmission.

    By Nathan Seppa
  4. Cosmology

    Universe re-created in computer simulation

    The Illustris Project traces the detailed evolution of the universe starting from 12 million years after the Big Bang.

    By Christopher Crockett
  5. Genetics

    Organism with artificial DNA alphabet makes its debut

    Using DNA molecules other than A, C, G and T, scientists have created the first living organism with an expanded genetic alphabet.

    By Beth Mole
  6. Climate

    Crop nutrients may drop as carbon dioxide rises

    Many staple grains and legumes pack 5 to 10 percent less iron, zinc and protein when grown at carbon dioxide levels expected midcentury.

    By Beth Mole
  7. Animals

    Woodpecker beaks divulge shock-absorbing properties

    Scales, sutures and porosity help the birds hammer without going stupid.

    By Susan Milius
  8. Math

    The Improbability Principle

    The laws of mathematics and physics suffice to explain a world of coincidences, statistician David J. Hand argues.

    By Gabriel Popkin
  9. Health & Medicine

    U.S. patient with MERS virus is on the mend

    A man in Indiana does not seem to have spread the potentially deadly respiratory illness.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  10. Health & Medicine

    Massachusetts insurance mandate lowers death rate

    Since “Romneycare” was phased in, mortality fell by 2.9 percent.

    By Nathan Seppa
  11. Neuroscience

    Young blood proven good for old brain

    Blood — or one of its protein components — restores some of youth’s vibrancy to elderly mouse brains.

    By Laura Sanders
  12. Health & Medicine

    MERS outbreak picks up pace in Middle East

    As the number of MERS cases increases, researchers race to learn more about the deadly virus carried by camels.

    By Tina Hesman Saey