Humans
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Tumors grow faster in cancer-prone mice given vitamins
The tumors killed the mice twice as fast as early-stage lung lesions in mice not given the antioxidants, researchers report.
- Health & Medicine
Immunotherapy attacks aberrant cervical growth
The treatment might stop cancers before they arise.
By Nathan Seppa - Humans
Neandertal hot spots highlighted in modern humans’ DNA
Mating with evolutionary cousins produced genetic trade-offs for Stone Age people.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
H7N9 flu makes a comeback
Scientists warn that the risk that the illness could spread remains.
- Neuroscience
Famous brain surgery patient H.M. retained a chunk of hippocampus
The patient's amnesia was probably due to the loss of other regions and neural connections.
- Life
Molecule stops MERS spread among cultured human cells
The molecule interacts with the protein the MERS virus uses to enter a cell.
- Health & Medicine
Nanopackaging biodegrades after delivering cancer drug
DNA binding creates potentially nontoxic tumor-targeting structures.
By Beth Mole - Health & Medicine
Low semen levels in mice make for fatter sons
Mice without the glands that make semen may sire sons with more body fat.
- 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.
By Nathan Seppa - 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.
By Bruce Bower