Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Animals
Zebra finches can detect variations in human speech
When humans vary the pitch or rhythm of their speech, zebra finches perceive the changes, suggesting that the ability to detect such variations is not linked to language.
- Life
Starchy foods more filling than fiber, lab tests suggest
Tests of gut microbe digestion of potato starch and fiber suggest that moving away from grass-heavy ancestral diets may not be the reason for obesity epidemic.
- Anthropology
Richard III to be reburied in Leicester Cathedral
The remains of Richard III will be reburied in Leicester, a British court ruled on May 23.
- Psychology
Recessions take a lasting toll on narcissism
Coming of age in hard economic times makes people less likely to feel superior and entitled later in life.
- Health & Medicine
Urine is not sterile, and neither is the rest of you
Despite what the Internet says, urine does contain bacteria, a new study finds. And so does your brain, the womb, and pretty much everywhere else.
- Health & Medicine
Parasite protein offers new hope for malaria vaccine
A newly discovered malarial protein triggers the immune system to trap disease-causing parasites in red blood cells. The protein offers scientists a promising target for vaccines.
- Neuroscience
Life span lengthens when mice feel less pain
When rodents are missing a sensory protein, their metabolism revs up and they live longer.
- Health & Medicine
Dengue risk forecasted for soccer World Cup in Brazil
Three Brazilian cities — Recife, Fortaleza and Natal — have the highest risk for outbreaks of dengue fever, according to a new early warning system.
- Health & Medicine
Newer schizophrenia drug isn’t necessarily better
A newer antipsychotic medication may work no better than an older drug, results from a clinical trial show.
- Health & Medicine
How Kawasaki disease may blow in with the wind
The origin of Kawasaki disease has been linked to farmlands in northeastern China.
- Health & Medicine
Study on pregnant women’s driving has some potholes
New study finds that pregnancy makes women get into more car accidents, but there could be a simpler explanation.
- Science & Society
Cancer research scores big at Intel ISEF
An innovative statistical analysis of cancer-promoting genes earned a 15-year-old the top prize — and $75,000 — at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2014.
