Humans
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- 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.
By Bruce Bower - 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.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
Obesity epidemic may threaten mitten industry
Hot fingers: That appears to be one consequence of big bodies.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
The Mesmerized Mind
Scientists are unveiling how the brain works when hypnotized
By Susan Gaidos - 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
By Bruce Bower - 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.
By Janet Raloff - Earth
Protected whales found in Japan’s supermarkets
Toothless Asian whales find themselves being protected by fairly toothless regulations.
By Janet Raloff - 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.
- Humans
A head for numbers
The brain shows slightly different, but overlapping patterns when processing digits and dots of the same value.
- Animals
Spider men weave silken tapestry
It took herculean effort, but Madagascar crafters created an extraordinary piece of woven art from spider silk.
By Janet Raloff - 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.
By Bruce Bower - 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.
By Nathan Seppa