Feature Humans Science News of the Year 2005 Share this:EmailFacebookTwitterPinterestPocketRedditPrint By Science News December 20, 2005 at 4:53 am STILL GOING ON MARS. Nearly 2 years after they landed, the twin rovers on the Red Planet kept on rolling (; ; ; ; ). Among their recent accomplishments: discovering the first meteorite ever found on a planet other than Earth and identifying the saltiest known region on Mars. The high salt content indicates the region once had water coursing through it . JPL/NASA, Cornell NIGHT CRUSH. Cross-cultural investigations identified the widespread phenomenon of sleep paralysis as a factor in various anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder, as well as an influence on popular beliefs in a spirit world inhabited by supernatural beings . During sleep paralysis, a person awakens to a crushing sensation on the chest and senses great danger but can’t move. The Nightmare, 1781, H. Fuseli. Founders Society purchase, with funds from Mr. & Mrs. B. Smokler and Mrs. L Fleischman. Photograph &Copy;1997 The Detroit Institute of Arts NO HEADACHE. Migraines may be among the problems that stem from a common but rarely diagnosed heart defect. Researchers discovered that repairing the defect prevents some headaches . Cleveland Clinic Foundation MASTERING MALARIA. Two research teams found independently that fungi can kill mosquitoes or at least their efficiency at transmitting the malaria parasite . An experimental vaccine against the parasite induced an immune response in people similar to that mustered by people who reside in malaria regions . The parasite may facilitate its own spread by making infected people more alluring to mosquitoes . H. Sturrock/Univ. Edinburgh EIGHT EYES. Scientists found that eight of a box jellyfish’s eyes have superb lenses, but their structure prevents them from focusing sharply . Nilsson, B. Hamner (bottom) DOUBLE DOG. Researchers said that they had cloned the first canine, an Afghan pup , but the feat was questioned when the scientists later asked to retract a report of other stem cell research . Hwang WHIFF WEAPON. Scientists identified the primary chemical components of the pheromone that guides sea lampreys to suitable spawning areas, the first migratory pheromone discovered in a vertebrate and a possible new lamprey-control tool . Univ. Minnesota COLOR ME HEALTHY. Deep-hued plant pigments—such as those coloring these potatoes—were shown to confer health benefits, from fighting heart disease and obesity to preserving memory (; ). ARS/USDA NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE. A newly described specimen of Archaeopteryx, only the 10th known, provided novel viewing angles of several key body features . Mayr/Senckenberg Research Inst. SKINNIEST MATERIAL. Physicists isolated one-atom-thick sheets of several materials. In an all-carbon version called graphene, electrons moved so fast that they appeared massless, a possible boon for electronics (; ). K. Novoselov/Univ. Manchester More Stories from Science News on Humans Health & Medicine Can taking ashwagandha supplements improve health? By Sean CummingsSeptember 13, 2024 Anthropology Ancient DNA unveils a previously unknown line of Neandertals By Bruce BowerSeptember 11, 2024 Health & Medicine California droughts may help valley fever spread By Erin Garcia de JesúsSeptember 11, 2024 Health & Medicine The first face transplant to include an eye shows no rejection a year later By Aimee CunninghamSeptember 9, 2024 Health & Medicine 50 years ago, some of plastic’s toxic hazards were exposed By Erin Garcia de JesúsSeptember 6, 2024 Health & Medicine A new drug shows promise for hot flashes due to menopause By Aimee CunninghamSeptember 5, 2024 Health & Medicine A next-gen pain drug shows promise, but chronic sufferers need more options By Cassandra WillyardSeptember 5, 2024 Health & Medicine What is ‘Stage 0’ breast cancer and how is it treated? By Lisa GrossmanAugust 30, 2024