Humans
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Humans
Letters from the February 26, 2005, issue of Science News
Let’s move it, people When I read of the Hubble Space Telescope–repair controversy (“People, Not Robots: Panel favors shuttle mission to Hubble,” SN: 12/18&25/04, p. 388; “Lean Times: Proposed budget keeps science spending slim,” SN: 2/12/05, p. 102), this question comes to mind: Why can’t an unmanned, powered vehicle latch on to Hubble and fly […]
By Science News - Health & Medicine
Study can’t tie EMFs to cancer
A massive, long-term Swedish study has found no sign that occupational exposures to electromagnetic fields might trigger breast cancer in women.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
Ketone diet could help in Parkinson’s
A strict low-carb diet long used to treat some people with epilepsy has been tailored so that it might fight Parkinson's disease.
By Ben Harder - Anthropology
Human fossils are oldest yet
Homo sapiens fossils found along Ethiopia's Omo River in 1967 date to 195,000 years ago, making them the oldest-known remains of our species.
By Bruce Bower - Humans
Bushmeat on the Menu
Studies of the bushmeat trade reveal that such meat appeals to people who can't afford anything else and to prestige seekers who certainly can.
By Susan Milius - Humans
From the February 16, 1935, issue
Saving wild ducks, deciphering Mayan glyphs, and causes of deafness.
By Science News - Health & Medicine
Multiple Sclerosis
This Web site is an excellent starting point for anyone looking into multiple sclerosis (MS), whether as a patient, family member, doctor, researcher, or student. In addition to explaining this autoimmune disorder in detail, it offers links to sites that delve into treatments, current research, fundraising events, clinical trials of new drugs, and breaking news […]
By Science News - Health & Medicine
Healing Gone Haywire: Wound-repair genes signal cancer spread
An experimental test predicts which breast tumors will spread rapidly without treatment and which are likely to be less aggressive by tracking the activity of genes normally involved in mending injured tissue.
By David Shiga - Archaeology
In the Buff: Stone Age tools may have derived luster from diamond
Ancient Chinese people may have used diamonds to polish their stone axes to mirrorlike finishes.
- Humans
Letters from the February 19, 2005, issue of Science News
Negative thinking The article “Sweet Glow: Nanotube sensor brightens path to glucose detection” (SN: 1/1/05, p. 3) mentions “ferricyanide, an electron-hungry molecule.” This puzzled me no end. Aren’t ferricyanide molecules, unlike their ions, electrically neutral? I’m trying to visualize ravenous molecules gobbling up innocent electrons. Ernest NussbaumBethesda, Md. Ferricyanide is indeed an ion, with a […]
By Science News - Health & Medicine
Carcinogens in the Diet
The U.S. government has added chemicals commonly found in overcooked meat to the list of potential cancer causers.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
Against the Migraine
Migraines may be among the problems that stem from a common but rarely diagnosed heart defect, and researchers have discovered that repairing the defect cures some of the headaches.
By Ben Harder