Climate
Climate foiled Europeans’ early exploration of North America
The book ‘A Cold Welcome’ examines how the Little Ice Age and other climatic and geographic factors shaped colonial history.
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Cover Story
What the Pliocene epoch can teach us about future warming on Earth
By simulating the changes that occurred during the warm Pliocene epoch, researchers are trying to predict Earth’s future hundreds of years from now.
Reviews & Previews
Science Visualized
Animals
Fluorescence could help diagnose sick corals
Diseased corals fluoresce less than healthy corals, and a new analysis technique can help spot the reduced glow.
Notebook
Humans
50 years ago, folate deficiency was linked to birth defects
50 years ago, scientists found that a lack of folic acid in pregnant women could cause birth defects. But now, how much is too much?
Features
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Scientists are seeking new strategies to fight multiple sclerosis
Facing so many unknowns about multiple sclerosis, researchers explore the immune system, the neurons and the gut to fight the disease.
More Stories from the December 9, 2017 issue
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AnimalsLeafhoppers use tiny light-absorbing balls to conceal their eggs
Leafhoppers produce microscopic balls that absorb light rather than reflect it and help camouflage the insects’ eggs.
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NeuroscienceAlzheimer’s protein can travel from blood to build up in the brain
Experiments in mice show Alzheimer’s protein can travel from the blood of an affected mouse to the brain of a healthy animal.
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AnimalsHere’s why some water striders have fans on their legs
A fan of tiny, elegant plumes on their legs helps certain water striders dash across flowing water without getting wet.
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AstronomyA sandy core may have kept Enceladus’ ocean warm
Friction in Enceladus’ porous core could help heat its ocean enough to keep it liquid for billions of years.
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AnthropologyCrocs take a bite out of claims of ancient stone-tool use
Reptiles with big bites complicate claims of Stone Age butchery.
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AnimalsFace it: Sheep are just like us when it comes to recognizing people
Sheep trained to recognize celebrity faces demonstrate that the animals have face-recognition capabilities similar to humans and other primates.
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AstronomyThis star cheated death, exploding again and again
The weirdest supernova ever has lasted more than three years, and may be the third outburst from the same star.
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PhysicsWhy the wiggle in a crowd’s walk can put a wobble in a bridge
New simulations can better predict when pedestrians cause a bridge to shimmy.
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Health & MedicineCholera pandemics are fueled by globe-trotting bacterial strains
International cholera strains, rather than local ones, have caused raging epidemics, according to research that examined the bacteria’s DNA.
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AstronomyAncient spiral galaxy is 11 billion years old
The most ancient spiral galaxy seen to date is 11 billion years old and could help reveal how galaxies sprout arms.
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Health & MedicineNew blood pressure guidelines put half of U.S. adults in unhealthy range
New hypertension guidelines broaden the range of those considered to have high blood pressure and emphasize lifestyle changes to combat the condition.
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AnimalsThese spiders may have the world’s fastest body clocks
Three orb-weaving spiders may have the shortest circadian clocks yet discovered among animals.
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AstronomyHaze keeps Pluto cool by kicking heat out to space
Pluto may be the only place in the solar system whose atmosphere is kept cool by solid hazes, not warmed by gas.
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Health & MedicineHow dad’s stress changes his sperm
Stress may change sperm via packets of RNA in the epididymis, a mouse study suggests.
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NeuroscienceStudy casts doubt on whether adult brain’s memory-forming region makes new cells
An examination of 54 human brains suggests that adults don’t grow new neurons in the hippocampus, contrary to several widely accepted studies.
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GeneticsCurrent CRISPR gene drives are too strong for outdoor use, studies warn
Self-limiting genetic tools already in development may be able to get around concerns surrounding the use of gene drives.
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Science & SocietyActress Hedy Lamarr laid the groundwork for some of today’s wireless tech
‘Bombshell’ tells the story of Hedy Lamarr’s double life as a Hollywood starlet and tech inventor.
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Humans
50 years ago, folate deficiency was linked to birth defects
50 years ago, scientists found that a lack of folic acid in pregnant women could cause birth defects. But now, how much is too much?
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Quantum PhysicsQuantum computing steps forward with 50-qubit prototype
Bit by qubit, scientists are edging closer to the realm where quantum computers will reign supreme.