More Stories from the March 15, 2003 issue
- Anthropology
Ancient people get dated Down Under
New dating analyses indicate that people reached southeastern Australia between 50,000 and 46,000 years ago and that two human skeletons previously unearthed there were buried about 40,000 years ago.
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Brain training aids kids with dyslexia
Preliminary brain-imaging evidence indicates that after completing an intensive reading-remediation program, children with dyslexia not only read better but also exhibit signs of increased activity in key brain areas as they read.
- Physics
New approach smooths wrinkle analysis
A simple new theory of wrinkle formation predicts basic traits of wrinkled surfaces, such as how close together the folds will be, without miring scientists in impossible-to-solve equations.
- Health & Medicine
Protective virus ties up HIV docking sites
A harmless virus that seems to keep HIV infections from progressing to AIDS appears to do so by occupying key molecular receptors on immune cells.
- Animals
Vampire bats don’t learn from bad lunch
For the first time, a mammal has flunked a controlled test for developing a food aversion after getting sick just once, and that unusual creature is the common vampire bat.
- Health & Medicine
Abortion-cancer link is rejected
A workshop report concludes that abortions do not increase a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.
- Astronomy
Ordinary matter: Lost and found
Astronomers believe they have finally found the whereabouts of most of the ordinary matter in the universe.
- Physics
Bunches of atoms madly morph
While investigating the instability of tiny clusters of atoms, scientists observe ultrasmall salt grains switching shapes at a stupendous rate.
- Health & Medicine
Tough Nut Is Cracked: Antibody treatment stifles peanut reactions
Researchers have successfully demonstrated the first preventive drug treatment against peanut allergy.
- Earth
Killer Crater: Shuttle-borne radar detects remnant of dino-killing impact
Radar images gathered during a flight of the space shuttle Endeavour 3 years ago show the subtle topography related to the impact of an asteroid or comet that may have wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
- Astronomy
Planet’s Slim-Fast Plan: Extrasolar orb is too close for comfort
A new study of the atmosphere of a planet outside the solar system suggests that some orbs will vaporize if they orbit too close to their parent star.
- Health & Medicine
Pressurized Pregnancies: Schizophrenia linked to fetal diuretic exposure
A Danish study has found that pregnant women who take diuretic medication for high blood pressure during the third trimester substantially raise the chances that their unborn children will develop schizophrenia by age 35.
- Animals
Fish That Decorate: Females prefer nests with pizzazz
If scientists give foil strips to male stickleback fish, the fellows carry them back to their nests for decoration, and it turns out that females seem to like guys with lots of shiny stuff.
- Humans
Science Flair: Top U.S. science and engineering students reap recognition, rewards
Forty finalists in the 2003 Intel Science Talent Search received recognition and more than $500,000 in scholarships for their efforts toward solving original problems in science and engineering.
- Earth
Fallen Trees? Scotch pines emit nitrogen oxides into the air
Northern pine forests may exude nitrogen oxides—a contributor to smog and acid rain—in quantities that rival those produced by industry and traffic worldwide.
- Tech
On the Rebound
When electronically reversed in time, acoustic echoes can zero in on a spot in space, focusing sound energy so that it may zap tumors, detect submarines, or transmit private and secure information.
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Blood Work
Knowing the identity of every protein in the liquid portion of blood could offer new ways to detect—or even treat and prevent—many diseases.
