Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Caffeinated Liver Defense
Caffeinated beverages appear to protect beleaguered livers.
- Humans
Letters from the January 21, 2006, issue of Science News
D. Durda, FIAAA/B612 Foundation Push, pull, zap, drench I’m surprised that NASA envisions an absurdly massive, nuclear-powered “gravitational tug” to avoid “the biggest problem” of a contact-tug’s need to “fir[e] its rocket engine only at specific times” to compensate for an asteroid’s rotation (“Protecting Earth: Gravitational tractor could lure asteroids off course,” SN: 11/12/05, p. […]
- Archaeology
Getting a read on early Maya writing
Excavators of a pyramid in northeastern Guatemala announced the discovery of the earliest known Maya writing.
- Health & Medicine
In Pixels and in Health
By simulating individual cells and their behavior inside the human body using a computer technique called agent-based modeling, scientists are gaining new insight into disease progression.
- Health & Medicine
Cancer and Soft Drinks? Oops, Never Mind
When it comes to cancer, soft drinks are not the villains implied by recent news accounts.
- Humans
From the January 11, 1936 issue
A new president for A.A.A.S., evidence of neutrinos, and plants that act like batteries.
- Humans
Benjamin Franklin at 300
For the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s birth, a new Web portal offers a comprehensive, searchable resource of the statesman and scientist’s writings and quotations, along with a targeted search engine and tools for teachers. Go to: http://ben.clusty.com/
- Health & Medicine
Put Down That Fork: Studies document hazards of obesity
Being overweight or obese in middle age increases a person's risk of heart or kidney problems later in life.
- Humans
Faked Finds: Human stem cell work is discredited
South Korean scientist Woo Suk Hwang faked embryonic stem cell findings, say investigators from Seoul National University.
- Health & Medicine
Musical therapy for sounder sleeping
Regularly playing a droning wind instrument native to Australia significantly reduced snoring and sleep problems, Swiss researchers found.
- Humans
Letters from the January 14, 2006, issue of Science News
Alcohol calculus “A toast to thin blood” (SN: 11/12/05, p. 317) says, “the blood of people who consume 3 to 6 drinks weekly was less likely to clot in a test tube than was the blood from nondrinkers.” I wonder if there is a rebound effect that could make the blood of new abstainers even […]
- Humans
Fattening fears
Parents' concerns over neighborhood safety may cause them to keep their children indoors and thereby increase the possibility that the youngsters will become overweight.
