Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Science & Society
The golden age of language was a few thousand years ago
A few millennia ago, people worldwide may have spoken or signed up to 10 times as many languages as they do today.
- Health & Medicine
Measles cases in the U.S. hit a new 34-year high
The U.S. hasn't seen measles numbers like this since 1992. An epidemiologist explains what's driving the surge.
- Health & Medicine
An experimental oral vaccine may prevent invasive bacterial diarrhea
Shigella causes about 450,000 U.S. infections each year. An experimental oral vaccine protected adults in a small human trial.
- Archaeology
Pompeii’s survivors shine in a new documentary series
Hosted by actor Tom Hiddleston, Pompeii: Out of Time mixes facts and fiction to bring three real ancient Romans to life.
- Artificial Intelligence
AI ‘ghosts’ can comfort mourners — even when the bots get the facts wrong
A small study suggests emotional fit, not perfect accuracy, may make chatbot versions of dead loved ones feel real.
- Anthropology
In painted caves, ancient human DNA clings to the walls
Scientists recovered ancient human DNA from cave walls for the first time. Refined, the method could help link prehistoric paintings to their makers.
- Humans
Who owns your bones?
Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses the history of unethical practices in research on human remains and the progress toward more ethical standards.
- Health & Medicine
Inside the fight against the parasite Cyclospora
Parasite-induced cases of explosive diarrhea are sweeping the United States. Containing the outbreak won’t be easy.
- Anthropology
Many universities hold seized human remains. What should they do with them?
Biological anthropologist Fatimah Jackson is leading an effort to prevent history from repeating.
- Archaeology
Ancient Egyptian princesses knew their way around weapons of war
Analysis of six mummies from ancient Egypt challenges the idea that the bows and daggers buried with some royal women were merely ceremonial.
- Genetics
Genes offer new clues to stopping Huntington’s disease in its tracks
A new generation of therapies aims to intervene at a recently discovered gap between the disease’s molecular march and its neurological consequences.
- Archaeology
An ancient Maya astronomer finally has a name
A Maya calendar formula bears the name Sak Tahn Waax, the first known Classic Maya mathematician-astronomer directly credited for such work.
