Uncategorized
- Humans
Gene may boost effects of peer pressure
DNA trait linked to tendency to be affected by high or low levels of alcohol and cigarette use in high school.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
Ovulation spurred by newfound semen ingredient
A common growth-boosting protein may act as a pregnancy-protecting hormone in humans.
By Meghan Rosen -
- Life
Unusual virus may tie snakes in knots
Captive snakes with a fatal disease harbor viruses never before seen in reptiles.
- Chemistry
Supersmall lab-on-a-chip is superfast
Two-chamber nanowire device that quickly finds diagnostic molecules in blood could be a lifesaver.
- Psychology
Psychopaths get time off for bad brains
In a survey, judges tended to say they would reduce sentences for criminals defended with biological evidence.
By Bruce Bower - Tech
Chameleon-like robot can change hue
Dye-filled microchannels help machine blend in, or stick out.
By Meghan Rosen - Space
Giant cluster phenomenally fertile
Stars form at an impressive rate thanks to a snoozing black hole at the center of the massive object.
By Nadia Drake - Health & Medicine
Brain’s hidden sewers revealed
Specialized cells host a hitherto unknown cleansing system.
- Planetary Science
Dawn mission to die another day
A glitch does not threaten the spacecraft’s survival, but it will delay an upcoming visit to the dwarf planet Ceres.
By Nadia Drake - Life
Mantis shrimp flub color vision test
Unexpectedly poor results on crustacean eye exams suggest there’s another way to perceive color.
By Susan Milius - Earth
Antibacterial agent can weaken muscle
Triclosan impairs the power of the heart and other muscles in two species and at relatively low doses.
By Janet Raloff