Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Elusive baby sleep miracles remain elusive
There is little evidence to support sleep-training interventions for babies younger than six months. Sorry, sleep-deprived parents.
- Anthropology
Ancient farmers, foragers kept genes to themselves
Ancient DNA and diet clues suggest how farmers and hunter-gathers contributed to modern Europeans’ genetic profiles.
- Health & Medicine
Highlights from annual meeting of infectious disease specialists
Heartburn pills increase risk of pneumonia, a better catheter and more were presented October 2-6, 2013 at ID Week in San Francisco.
- Health & Medicine
Old drug may have new trick
Parkinson’s medication helps mice with condition that mimics MS.
- Health & Medicine
‘Decoding Annie Parker’ portrays hunt for breast cancer genes
Not long ago, most doctors scoffed at the idea of a “cancer gene,” as the new film shows.
- Health & Medicine
Norovirus vaccine shows early progress
Individuals immunized against Norwalk virus and another norovirus experienced less vomiting and diarrhea than those who didn't receive shots.
- Health & Medicine
Medicine Nobel goes to cellular transport research
Honor given to three scientists who discovered how machinery moves cargo around cells.
- Health & Medicine
Fractals can catch cancer
Analyzing shapes of cell borders may prove useful in cancer diagnosis.
- Health & Medicine
Cellular transport research wins Nobel Prize in medicine or physiology
Guest post by Tina Hesman Saey and Nathan Seppa.
- Health & Medicine
Good bacteria from poop stop resistant infection
Pills fashioned from beneficial microbes in feces overcome C. difficile infections.
- Health & Medicine
Why women want to sniff my baby
Tiny babies smell very, very good. So good that scientists really want to know why some women find this smell irresistible.
- Psychology
Reading high-brow literature may aid in reading minds
Think of it as the bookworm’s bonus: People who read first-rate fiction become more socially literate, at least briefly, a new study suggests.
