Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Iron helps growing bodies, but could too much do harm?
Iron fortification has been a public health victory in the fight against childhood anemia. But too much iron may be a cause for concern, scientists propose.
- Health & Medicine
High-potency pot smokers show brain-fiber damage
People who smoke potent pot had signs of damage in a brain communication link.
- Health & Medicine
Pay attention to that under-the-weather feeling
People can forecast their likelihood of catching colds by rating their own health, study shows.
- Health & Medicine
Virus spread by mosquitoes linked to rare birth defect
In addition to fever, rash and vomiting, Zika virus may cause rare birth defect.
- Health & Medicine
Pregnancy hormone could keep multiple sclerosis at bay
A small trial hints that pregnancy hormone can reduce MS flare-ups.
- Health & Medicine
Taking antiviral drug ‘on demand’ can guard against HIV
The antiviral drug Truvada taken before and after sex cuts HIV transmission rates.
- Health & Medicine
Taking antiviral drug ‘on demand’ guards against HIV
The antiviral drug Truvada taken before and after sex cuts HIV transmission rates.
- Anthropology
People roamed tip of South America 18,500 years ago
Stone tools, charred animal bones and fire ash found at the Monte Verde site in Chile indicate people reached South America’s southernmost territory at least 18,500 years ago.
- Archaeology
Search for fossils from the comfort of home
The citizen science website FossilFinder.org lets anyone with an Internet connection look for fossils and characterize rocks at Kenya’s Lake Turkana Basin
- Archaeology
Mystery still surrounds Neandertals
Neandertals’ relationship to modern humans is still a matter of debate.
- Microbes
Gut microbes signal when dinner is done
Helpful E. coli bacteria that live in the guts of animals produce proteins that can decrease an animal’s appetite only 20 minutes after receiving nutrients
- Health & Medicine
Having parasites can boost fertility
Infection with parasitic worms tinkers with fertility.
