Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Genetics
Stone Age Spaniard had blue eyes, dark skin
Genetics of 7,000-year-old skeleton suggests blond hair, pale skin came later.
- Health & Medicine
Ancient history of canine cancer decoded
A contagious cancer has been plaguing dogs for 11,000 years, a new genetic analysis reveals.
- Humans
Small fetal size early on might carry risks later
A smaller size in first trimester of pregnancy has been linked to heart-health warning signs in childhood.
- Archaeology
Stone Age fishing spear found on Southeast Asian island
Notched piece of bone found near Indonesia illustrates surprisingly complex tool making 35,000 years ago.
- Archaeology
After 2,000 years, Ptolemy’s war elephants are revealed
A genetic study sheds light on world’s only known battle between Asian and African elephants.
- Health & Medicine
Vaccine vindication
At least 103 million cases of childhood disease have been prevented by vaccines since 1924.
- Health & Medicine
How to read a book to your baby
To help your baby get the most out of story time, turn the story into a conversation, not a monologue.
- Anthropology
Skulls from ancient London suggest ritual decapitations
The city’s Roman rulers had special watery places to keep the heads of military enemies or vanquished gladiators.
- Psychology
The most (and least) realistic movie psychopaths ever
A forensic psychologist spent three years watching 400 movies to trace portrayals of psychopaths.
- Health & Medicine
‘Good bacterium’ prevents colic symptoms in newborns
Crying time was nearly halved in babies receiving the beneficial microbe.
- Health & Medicine
Baby-cam captures an infant’s world
What do babies see all day? Faces. Lots of faces.
- Health & Medicine
Green tea may sabotage blood pressure medication
Antioxidants in drink may keep intestinal cells from taking up drug.
