Humans
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Humans
Urban Eyes
Too much time spent indoors may be behind a surge in nearsightedness.
By Nathan Seppa - Humans
STS finalists bound for Washington
Forty vie for top awards in 2013 Intel Science Talent Search.
By Matt Crenson - Health & Medicine
Digestive juices implicated in shock
A new study finds that blocking enzymes' effects beyond the gastrointestinal tract may be an effective treatment strategy.
By Nathan Seppa - Humans
H5N1 influenza research moratorium ends
Scientists lift self-imposed moratorium on research that would make avian flu transmissible among humans.
- Tech
DNA stores poems, a photo and a speech
The molecule swaps its biological role for a computational one, that of long-term data storage.
- Health & Medicine
Half of U.S. babies may miss on-time vaccinations
Immunization delays place children at risk of contracting preventable diseases.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
When hearing goes, mental capacity often follows
Cognitive decline may result from decreased social interaction or diversion of brainpower toward understanding speech.
- Health & Medicine
Brain region associated with selfishness
In three women, damage to basolateral amygdala prompted unusual generosity.
- Humans
Ancient human DNA suggests minimal interbreeding
Genetic analysis indicates Stone Age people mated infrequently with Neandertals and other close relatives.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
Flu shot during pregnancy is safe, but flu isn’t
Illness in the mother nearly doubles the risk of a miscarriage or stillbirth in second or third trimester, a new study shows.
By Nathan Seppa - Psychology
Depression gene search disappoints
A comprehensive effort to find links between genetic variants and low mood comes up empty.
- Humans
Cold spells were dark times in Eastern Europe
Cooler periods coincided with conflicts and disease outbreaks, a tree-ring study spanning the last millennium finds.
By Erin Wayman