Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Licorice may interfere with certain drugs
Studies in rats suggest that the active compound in licorice root can promote or hinder the availability of certain drugs.
- Humans
Otters and oil: Problems remain
The behavior of Alaska's southern sea otters may unwittingly expose them to toxic oil-spill residues.
- Health & Medicine
Early anesthesia may hinder kids’ learning
Young children who get general anesthesia more than once before age 4 may be at increased risk of developing a learning disability later in childhood, a new study finds.
- Chemistry
Exxon Valdez oil lingers, as does its toxicity
Even 20 years after a major oil spill, barely degraded pockets of the oil persist within some intertidal beaches, research shows.
- Health & Medicine
Tired brain defaults differently
Sleep deprivation may cause the brain to switch to default mode when it should be paying attention.
- Health & Medicine
Junior moments
A new study finds that young adults actually had more "senior moments" than did older people.
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- Humans
Holdren, Lubchenco confirmed for Obama posts
Another two scientists formally enter the Obama administration.
- Humans
Science reporting: Evolving before our eyes
Science reporters and scientist bloggers: They're complementary but not interchangable.
- Health & Medicine
How deep brain stimulation works for Parkinson’s
New studies in rodents show that methods that are less invasive than deep brain stimulation may help people with Parkinson's disease regain movement.
- Psychology
Feelings, universal musical feelings
Africans who spurn all things Western provide evidence that people everywhere recognize expressions of happiness, sadness and fear in music. Listen to some of the audio samples the study used.
- Earth
Vitamin E shields lungs from smog effects
The "other" vitamin E shows promise in being able to shield the lungs and nasal passages from ozone damage.
