Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Life
Environment blamed for autism
A new study of twins downplays the role of genes in determining who will get autism.
- Tech
Some comfort about broken CFLs
My night-owl daughter woke me in a panic at around 2 a.m., a couple of weeks back. While swatting at a fly, she’d just broken the compact fluorescent light illuminating her closet. Having heard me warn endlessly of how we should be careful in handling these bulbs — since they contain mercury — she wanted to know what kind of damage control was called for. I only wish I knew then what I do now.
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- Health & Medicine
The Power of D
Sunshine vitamin’s potential health benefits stir up, split scientists.
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- Health & Medicine
Body & Brain
The right speed for a caress, plus the punny brain, rocking babies and more in this week’s news.
- Psychology
Sleeping babies learn in an eyeblink
To learn about spoken words and other sounds, 1-month-old babies sleep on it.
- Humans
AAAS board defends climate scientists
“AAAS vigorously opposes attacks on researchers that question their personal and professional integrity or threaten their safety based on displeasure with their scientific conclusions.” This declaration was contained in a 400-word denunciation of attacks on climate scientists and the politicization of climate science that was issued June 29 by the organization's board of directors.
- Life
Alzheimer’s plaques due to purging flaw
A gene controls the clearance of a protein that accumulates in the brains of people with the condition.
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- Earth
BPA makes male mice less macho
Studies show that exposures in the womb or during adolescence can erase masculine habits or reverse sexes' behavior.
