Humans

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Health & Medicine

    Chocolate as Sunscreen

    A small study in women suggests that a cocoa drink rich in flavonoids made their skin look better and protected it from ultraviolet-light damage.

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  2. Humans

    From the June 6, 1936, issue

    Young robins ready to solo, threats from space, and molecule models.

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  3. Health & Medicine

    Medicine in the News

    This Web site from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine serves as a clearinghouse for timely medical information. It provides news stories, along with “teaching brief” articles that aim to help clinicians and consumers understand the implications of new discoveries and developments in the medical world. Go to: http://www.medpagetoday.com/

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  4. Health & Medicine

    Ancient Wisdom: Chinese extract may yield diabetes treatment

    A plant extract used in traditional Chinese medicine could form the basis for new treatments for type 2 diabetes.

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  5. Health & Medicine

    Homegrown Defender: Urinary infections face natural guard

    Specialized peptides produced by cells lining the urinary tract stand guard as the first line of defense against bacterial infection.

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  6. Health & Medicine

    Can supplements nix kidney stones?

    The majority of commercially available probiotic supplements don't degrade the compound that forms kidney stones.

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  7. Health & Medicine

    Dive suits could spread disease

    Divers' wetsuits can harbor bacteria that cause diseases in coral and people.

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  8. Humans

    Letters from the June 10, 2006, issue of Science News

    Know the drill Could it be that the ancient teeth discovered with drill marks but no signs of fillings (“Mystery Drilling: Ancient teeth endured dental procedures,” SN: 4/8/06, p. 213) were drilled to relieve abscesses? On a long holiday weekend years ago, a dentist opened and drained an abscess for me until I could get […]

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  9. Health & Medicine

    For women, weight gain spells heartburn

    A study of more than 10,000 women suggests that weight gain is associated with heartburn.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    Has Early Programming Sealed These Animals’ Fate?

    Surprising data from harbor seals indicate that nutrition prior to weaning may permanently set growth rates in the animals.

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  11. Humans

    The Influenza Epidemic of 1918

    This eye-opening Web site from the National Archives and Records Administration features photos and documents related to the influenza epidemic of 1918, which killed more people than died in World War I. Go to: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/influenza-epidemic/

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  12. Humans

    From the May 30, 1936, issue

    A shaking mountain, a warm blood factory, and signaling with invisible heat rays.

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