Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Humans
Language family may have Anatolian origins
Major language family started in Anatolia 8,000 years ago or more, a contentious analysis concludes.
- Health & Medicine
Tattoo rashes linked to ink
Tainted supplies caused outbreak of stubborn bacterial skin infections.
- Life
Antibiotics linked to fat buildup
Research in mice implicates changes in gut microbe mix; study in infants finds excess weight gain after use of the drugs.
- Humans
Gene may boost effects of peer pressure
DNA trait linked to tendency to be affected by high or low levels of alcohol and cigarette use in high school.
- Health & Medicine
Ovulation spurred by newfound semen ingredient
A common growth-boosting protein may act as a pregnancy-protecting hormone in humans.
- Chemistry
Supersmall lab-on-a-chip is superfast
Two-chamber nanowire device that quickly finds diagnostic molecules in blood could be a lifesaver.
- Psychology
Psychopaths get time off for bad brains
In a survey, judges tended to say they would reduce sentences for criminals defended with biological evidence.
- Health & Medicine
Brain’s hidden sewers revealed
Specialized cells host a hitherto unknown cleansing system.
- Life
Mantis shrimp flub color vision test
Unexpectedly poor results on crustacean eye exams suggest there’s another way to perceive color.
- Earth
Antibacterial agent can weaken muscle
Triclosan impairs the power of the heart and other muscles in two species and at relatively low doses.
- Life
Smell deals with deprivation differently
One odor-related brain region called the orbitofrontal cortex keeps the sense primed for resumed input during a cold.
- Humans
Good times led to grisly custom
Ancient Chileans developed artificial mummification after an increase in the numbers of living and dead people made naturally preserved bodies hard to ignore.
