Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Humans
Really bad year for Arctic sea ice
On October 4, the National Snow and Ice Data Center posted information on its website indicating that the summer melt of sea ice in the Arctic, this year, approached — but did not quite match — the record set four years ago. A team of European scientists now concludes NSIDC underestimated those Arctic losses.
- Humans
Inca takeovers not usually hostile
Skeletal evidence suggests that war was not the answer for Inca imperialists.
- Humans
Study recalibrates trees’ carbon uptake
Photosynthesis appears to be somewhat speedier than conventional wisdom had suggested, a new study finds. If true, this suggests computer projections are at risk of overestimating the potential for trees to sop up carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.
- Humans
Surf zone study earns young scientist first place
Top winners selected from 30 finalists who traveled to Washington, D.C., to compete in the inaugural Broadcom MASTERS program for middle school students.
- Humans
Arctic ozone: ‘Hole’ or just not whole?
This past spring, the Arctic stratosphere’s ozone layer suffered unprecedented depletion. But whether the record loss constituted a “hole” depends on which experts you consult.
- Life
Biomarker for Huntington’s disease identified
A gene called H2AFY may provide scientists with a way to measure the condition’s progression and whether a treatment is having a biological effect.
- Life
2011 medicine Nobel goes to immunology researchers
The prize in physiology or medicine recognizes scientists for their work on the body's innate and adaptive defenses against invading pathogens.
- Psychology
Teen daters pal up to the bottle
Buddies of boyfriends and girlfriends push teens toward or away from booze.
- Physics
Sweet beams: Lasers to measure blood sugar
Cutting-edge use of light might someday prove useful in gauging diabetics’ glucose levels.
- Health & Medicine
The mind’s eye revealed
A new technology uses brain scans to see what a person is watching.
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- Health & Medicine
B12 shortage linked to cognitive problems
Subtle B12 deficiency plagues a surprising share of the elderly and may harm the brain, studies suggest.
