Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
With little proof, Trump links Tylenol to autism and touts a treatment
The FDA plans to add a warning to Tylenol’s label and OK use of a drug for autism. Researchers say there’s little data to support either move.
- Neuroscience
Lung cancer plugs into the mouse brain
Exploring the relationship between cancer cells and nerve cells, which can signal tumors to grow, could unearth ways to slow disease.
- Humans
Staying on the keto diet long term could carry health risks
Months on a high-fat keto diet put mice at risk for cardiovascular disease and impaired insulin secretion.
- Animals
Bats live with some viruses. But others can do them in
Bats can carry some deadly human pathogens without signs of illness. A new survey shows that other viruses can still be bad for bats.
- Health & Medicine
A handheld ‘bone printer’ shows promise in animal tests
Demonstrated in rabbits, the 3-D printer might someday print bone grafts directly onto fractures, complete with antibiotics to ease healing.
- Health & Medicine
Why are so many young people getting cancer?
Diagnoses for several cancers before age 50 have been increasing rapidly since the 1990s. Scientists don’t know why, but they have a few suspects.
- Health & Medicine
Cancer patients froze reproductive tissue as kids. Now they’re coming back for it
Saving reproductive tissue from kids treated for cancer before adolescence could give them a chance at having biological children later in life.
- Health & Medicine
Brains don’t all act their age
A slew of new research attempts to zero in on what happens as our brains get older — and what can bring about those changes early.
- Health & Medicine
A new drug shows promise for hard-to-treat high blood pressure
Results from a large trial suggest baxdrostat could provide a new option for people whose blood pressure remains high despite standard treatment.
- Health & Medicine
COVID-19 is still a threat, but getting a vaccine is harder for many people
Vaccination is still important to ward off the worst of the coronavirus. Three experts discuss the concerns with restricting access.
- Psychology
People with ADHD may have an underappreciated advantage: Hypercuriosity
ADHD is officially a disorder of deficits in attention, behavior and focus. But patients point out upsides, like curiosity. Research is now catching up.
- Anthropology
The oldest known mummies have been found — in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian groups mummified bodies over smoky fires before burying them as early as 12,000 years ago, long before Egyptians began making mummies.
