Humans

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Genetics

    Year in review: ‘Three-parent baby’ technique raises hope and concern

    Safety and ethical concerns surround controversial mitochondrial replacement therapy.

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  2. Genetics

    Year in review: How humans populated the globe

    DNA studies put new twists on timing of ancient human migrations – but genetics alone are not enough to tell the full story.

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  3. Neuroscience

    Year in review: Alzheimer’s drug may clarify disease’s origins

    Researchers will now test whether a treatment that swept away amyloid brain plaques also improves cognitive performance.

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  4. Oceans

    Readers contemplate corals and more

    Coral engineering, ancient almanacs and more in reader feedback.

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  5. Health & Medicine

    The fight against infectious diseases is still an uphill battle

    The fight against infectious diseases is far from over. The last several decades have seen many outbreaks and global pandemic scares.

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  6. Health & Medicine

    Number of teens who report doing drugs falls in 2016

    Drug use is down among teens, survey finds.

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  7. Life

    Zika induces brain cell die-off

    Cell biologists are learning more about how the Zika virus disrupts brain cells to cause microcephaly.

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  8. Life

    Disabling enzyme could block Zika

    Disrupting a key Zika enzyme shows preliminary promise.

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  9. Life

    Cell biologists learn how Zika kills brain cells, devise schemes to stop it

    Cell biologists are learning more about how the Zika virus disrupts brain cells to cause microcephaly. Meanwhile, several strategies to combat the virus show preliminary promise.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    Penicillin allergy? Think again.

    Most people are either mislabeled with a penicillin allergy or get over it with time, and doctors don’t always think to check.

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  11. Health & Medicine

    Microcephaly cases surge in Colombia following rise in Zika infections

    More than 400 cases of microcephaly have been reported in Colombia this year, months after Zika virus infections peaked in the country.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    Microcephaly cases surge in Colombia following rise in Zika infections

    More than 400 cases of microcephaly have been reported in Colombia this year, months after Zika virus infections peaked in the country.

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