Uncategorized
- Psychology
Reading high-brow literature may aid in reading minds
Think of it as the bookworm’s bonus: People who read first-rate fiction become more socially literate, at least briefly, a new study suggests.
- Life
Blocking a hormone helps mice beat lengthy jet lag
A timekeeping brain molecule steadies the beat of the circadian clock, while stopping it allows for a quick reset.
- Genetics
Cancer variants found in ‘neglected’ region of genome
Mutations outside of genes associated with disease in study using data from a thousand people.
- Health & Medicine
Altered wine chemical helps kill cancer
Molecule brings its parent, resveratrol, into cells.
- Planetary Science
Supervolcanoes once erupted on Mars
Giant eruptions billions of years ago left behind huge craters
- Neuroscience
Some grape-scented compounds repel mosquitoes
Molecules discovered to drive away bugs after researchers identify cells that detect, and are disgusted by, DEET.
- Animals
Tortoise-studying teen takes top Broadcom prize
Even a tortoise enthusiast can speed through a three-day gauntlet of science, engineering and math challenges to claim victory. River Grace, 14, of West Melbourne, Fla., did just that. At an awards ceremony October 1, he picked up the top award of $25,000. The teen was one of 30 finalists from 17 states who attended the third annual Broadcom Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars, or MASTERS, competition.
- Plants
Tiny fossils set record for oldest flowerlike pollen
Oldest flowerlike pollen might have come from an ancient relative of today’s flowering plants.
- Planetary Science
Maps reveal clouds on distant exoplanet
Astronomers chart the atmosphere of Kepler-7b, some 1,000 light-years away.
- Life
Engineered salivary glands keep juices flowing
Organs grown in a lab dish do their job when transplanted into mice.
- Anthropology
Ancient farming populations went boom, then bust
Agriculture’s introduction led to big falls as well as rises in numbers of Europeans.
- Microbes
Microbes signal deceased’s time of death
In a study using mice, germs accompany the body’s decay in a consistent time sequence.
