Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Rare neurons found in monkeys’ brains
Cells linked to empathy and consciousness in primates may offer clues to human self-awareness.
- Humans
Rural life may boost allergy resistance
Country kids had a greater diversity of bacteria associated with increased levels of the anti-inflammatory molecule IL-10.
- Psychology
When good moods go decisively bad
Positive feelings may lead seniors to weigh fewer options and make poorer choices in some situations.
- Humans
Crime numbers may mislead
Criminologists argue that city safety rankings should consider underreporting and other sources of error in compiling statistics.
- Health & Medicine
Protein tweak may trigger Alzheimer’s
An unusual version of the disease-linked amyloid-beta molecule sows destruction in mouse brains.
- Health & Medicine
Weight loss reduces cancer risk factor
Indicators of inflammation drop with diet and weight loss.
- Humans
A result of zero doesn’t always mean zero results
Two recent astrophysics studies found meaningful results in nothing.
- Humans
DNA tracks ancient Mediterranean farmers to Scandinavia
Modern genetic profile emerged from mating with resident hunter-gatherers, a new study suggests.
- Health & Medicine
Test drug eases behavioral symptoms seen in autism
In mouse experiments, the compound curbs repetitive behaviors and improves sociability.
- Health & Medicine
Snakes swirl in blink (and jump) of an eye
The Rotating Snakes optical illusion is preceded by blinking and tiny ocular movements, a new study shows.
- Health & Medicine
Pinpointing the G-spot, or not
A gynecologist claims to have anatomical evidence of a center of female sexual pleasure, but noted sex researchers are skeptical.
- Humans
Science denial in the 21st century
MADISON, Wis. — The arc of science has faced roadblocks for centuries, but the pattern of denying the weight of evidence has taken on new virulence recently. Highly motivated people openly cast doubt on well-established evidence — the theory of evolution, the human effects on climate change, the value of vaccines and other findings that […]
