Humans
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Tech
I, computer
Bacteria that can "flip pancakes" with their DNA are the first microbes engineered to be living computers.
- Health & Medicine
Itchy and scratchy
People with a close relative who has had shingles face a heightened risk of getting the skin disease, and should probably be first in line to get the vaccine.
By Nathan Seppa - Climate
When Is a Consensus on Climate Not a Consensus?
A protein chemist reported he had assembled a list of more than 30,000 scientists who challenge the idea that human releases of greenhouse gases are warming Earth's climate.
By Janet Raloff - Chemistry
Freon’s Cool Link to Climate
Quick: What’s the name of the big UN global climate treaty? If you said the Kyoto Protocol – you’d be wrong. Because it’s a trick question. Although the Kyoto Protocol is indeed the treaty developed to address the issue of arresting global warming and the climate perturbations that will be spawned by such a growing […]
By Janet Raloff - Life
Sepsis buster
The Ashwell receptor, a sugar-binding protein on liver cells, helps fight sepsis by clearing blood-clotting factors. The discovery clears up years of mystery surrounding the receptor’s function.
- Humans
ISEF winners announced
More than 1,500 young scientists flexed their mental muscles this week at the world's largest high-school science competition.
- Earth
Froggie Needs a Name – and Help
To help raise awareness about the plight of frogs and toads, which are disappearing globally, Amphibian Ark is selling formal naming rights to an unusual frog.
By Janet Raloff - Humans
Smells like teen science
Some of the world’s brightest young minds spent the day explaining their research projects in a packed exhibit hall in Atlanta at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
- Humans
Our Heritage at Risk
Much of the evidence documenting America's culture is at risk of being damaged or disappearing altogether.
By Janet Raloff - Humans
Nobel inspiration for young scientists
Tomorrow's science stars got to pick the brains of today's science giants during a question and answer session May 13 in Atlanta at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
- Life
Identifying viable embryos
New genetic tests to distinguish viable from nonviable embryos may help eliminate risky multiple births from fertility procedures.
- Life
Good night, Sloth
First EEG of free-roaming animals finds less sleeping in the real world.
By Susan Milius