Humans

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Humans

    Partial skeleton gives ancient hominids a new look

    African hominid fossils, including a partial skeleton, reveal a surprising mix of features suitable for upright walking and tree climbing 4.4 million years ago.

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  2. Health & Medicine

    Excreted Tamiflu found in rivers

    A Japanese study finds that excreted Tamiflu ends up in river water, raising concerns that birds hosting a flu virus will develop drug-resistant strains.

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  3. Health & Medicine

    Obesity epidemic may threaten mitten industry

    Hot fingers: That appears to be one consequence of big bodies.

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  4. Health & Medicine

    The Mesmerized Mind

    Scientists are unveiling how the brain works when hypnotized

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  5. Humans

    Autism may include aptitude for analogy

    Contrary to what had been thought, some kids with this disorder recognize and compare relationships among objects in visual scenes

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  6. Humans

    Schools need to test water, report results

    Survey of EPA database turn up widespread problems, which may be only the tip of the iceberg.

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  7. Earth

    Protected whales found in Japan’s supermarkets

    Toothless Asian whales find themselves being protected by fairly toothless regulations.

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  8. Health & Medicine

    Alzheimer’s linked to lack of Zzzzs

    Sleep deprivation leads to more Alzheimer’s disease plaques in the brains of genetically susceptible mice.

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  9. Humans

    A head for numbers

    The brain shows slightly different, but overlapping patterns when processing digits and dots of the same value.

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  10. Animals

    Spider men weave silken tapestry

    It took herculean effort, but Madagascar crafters created an extraordinary piece of woven art from spider silk.

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  11. Anthropology

    DNA points to India’s two-pronged ancestry

    Two ancient populations laid the genetic foundation for most people now living in India, a new DNA study suggests.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    Trimming rabies shots

    A new rabies vaccine might be enough to stave off the virus with fewer injections, a study in monkeys suggests.

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