Vol. 184 No. 8
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Features

  • Memory upgrade

    The demands of modern computing call for a seismic shift in data storage and retrieval.

  • Deep network

    The NEPTUNE observatory — a ring of six underwater research stations connected to the Internet with fiber optic cables — is the first online observatory to brave the depths of the abyss.

  • Voyager’s view

    Though the 1970s-era space probe has finally slipped into an interstellar realm, in some senses it is still very much within the bounds of the solar system.

More Stories from the October 19, 2013 issue

  1. Health & Medicine

    Alzheimer’s disease protein structure may vary among patients

    Two people with different symptoms had amyloid-beta fibers with different shapes.

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  2. Planetary Science

    Cometlike crashes produce building blocks of life

    Amino acids in collision residue support importance of extraterrestrial impacts.

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  3. Tech

    Bacterial batteries get a solid boost

    Using microbes to harvest energy from wastewater now has a silver lining, with the metal making reliable, rechargeable batteries.

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  4. Psychology

    Poker pros’ arms betray their hands

    Top players' arm motions when betting provide clues to whether or not they hold strong cards.

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  5. Life

    Mice lose cat fear for good after infection

    Parasite carried by cats causes ill effects on rodents long after mice get over disease.

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  6. Animals

    Tiger, lion and domestic cat genes not so different

    Genomes of big felines provide insight into their evolution.

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  7. Planetary Science

    Mars rover fails to find methane

    A dearth of the gas in the Red Planet's atmosphere disappoints scientists looking for signs of biological activity.

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  8. Tech

    Vitamin stops static electricity

    Clearing out uncharged molecules may prevent charge buildup.

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  9. Animals

    MERS virus jumped several times from animals to humans

    More than one person caught new illness from bats, camels or other creatures.

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  10. Ecosystems

    Feces in termites’ nests block biological pest control

    Built-in poop nourishes bacteria that protect notorious Formosan species.

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  11. Health & Medicine

    Home births more risky than hospital deliveries

    Babies born at home are more likely to lack pulse after five minutes.

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  12. Climate

    Slashing greenhouse gas emissions could save millions of lives

    Simulations suggest reduced air pollution would improve public health.

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  13. Neuroscience

    Scented naps can dissipate fears

    People unlearned an odor's unpleasant accompaniment when they smelled it in their sleep.

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  14. Life

    Killer cells trained on leukemia may protect some people

    Immune system seems to remember cancer in people who've never had it, a new study suggests.

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  15. Earth

    Oxygen wafted into Earth’s atmosphere earlier than thought

    Date pushed back to 3 billion years ago, suggesting photosynthesis had evolved by then.

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  16. Paleontology

    Dinosaur dreams dashed

    Fans of 'Jurassic Park' may be disappointed (or possibly relieved) to learn that you can’t get ancient DNA from amber.

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  17. Earth

    Deadliest hurricane in western hemisphere

    Hurricane records have been broken.

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  18. Science & Society

    Funding slide

    U.S. federal spending on science has decreased sharply since 2010. Scientists are feeling the crunch.

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  19. Earth

    Biggest volcano hulks deep

    Tamu Massif forms a broad, rounded dome rising about 4 kilometers from the seafloor and stretching 450 by 650 kilometers across.

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  20. Science & Society

    Scarcity

    Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir explain why having too little means so much.

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  21. Science & Society

    Science states

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  22. 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.

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