Humans
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
EPA should test demasculinizing pollutants collectively, NRC says
Cumulative effects of phthalates and related compounds likely larger than effects measured one chemical at a time, reports a National Research Council panel.
By Janet Raloff - Climate
Holdren to Head White House Science
It appears that another physicist with Nobel ties is set to become the primary Obama adviser on science.
By Janet Raloff - Humans
Primates get a neural facial
New brain-imaging studies indicate that similar brain areas coordinate face recognition in people, chimpanzees and macaque monkeys, suggesting that a face-sensitive brain system evolved early in primate evolution.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
Bacteria help themselves in damaged lungs
An antibiotic produced by a bacterium acts as a molecular snorkel to help with breathing. The bacterium infects and kills many people with cystic fibrosis, and plugging the snorkel could lead to treatments.
- Ecosystems
Thwarting Tree Poachers
A new federal rule makes it harder to destroy protected forests.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
Enzyme inventory affects ovarian cancer outlook
Levels of two enzymes crucial for shutting down genes might clarify the prognosis for ovarian cancer patients, a new study finds.
By Nathan Seppa - Earth
Severe heat and cold top list of deadly natural hazards
Data compilation by region, type of hazards shows deaths from more frequent events accumulate into significant numbers. Lightning strikes also high on the list.
- Earth
Improved Cars: Chu on It
Hey Detroit: Lighten up, the incoming Energy Secretary recommends.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
Dual therapy best for nasty prostate cancer
Dual therapy that adds radiation to medication for aggressive prostate cancer yields better survival and fewer signs of relapse than drugs alone, a large Scandinavian clinical trial finds.
By Nathan Seppa - Tech
Holiday Gifts: Blog Sites
Sample other blogs and let us know of notables that we missed that are also worth sharing.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
Potentially potent chemo target in sight
A fruit fly protein that helps control cell differentiation may be a powerful target for stopping human cancers.
- Health & Medicine
Breast cancer costs poor people more
Out-of-pocket costs of breast cancer hit poor individuals the hardest.
By Nathan Seppa