Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Honey, Let’s Shrink the Kids
A new Institute of Medicine report calls for fundamental changes throughout U.S. society to make pediatric-obesity prevention a major national priority, comparable to the campaign against youthful smoking.
- Health & Medicine
Fighting cholesterol with saturated fat?
Marrying a saturated fat to the plant-derived ingredient in certain health-promoting margarines creates an especially potent cholesterol-lowering food additive.
- Health & Medicine
Adopted protein might be MS culprit
A protein called syncytin might play a role in causing degradation of the fatty myelin sheath that insulates nerves, damage that leads to multiple sclerosis.
- Health & Medicine
Vitamin Boost
Vitamin D is being linked to a host of health benefits that go well beyond stronger bones, extending to muscle preservation and some protection against cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
- Health & Medicine
A Guggul Prescription for Drug Interactions
Herbal supplements made from myrrh compounds trigger biochemical reactions that can diminish the efficacy of many other prescription drugs an individual might be taking.
- Humans
Letters from the October 2, 2004, issue of Science News
On a diet While heart disease victim Jody Gorran’s lawsuit against the Atkins empire will be decided in court (“Counting Carbs,” SN: 7/17/04, p. 40: Counting Carbs), the deadlier battle is being waged in the research laboratory. Several studies confirm that low-carbohydrate diets cause marked cholesterol elevations for many individuals. In contrast, a vegetarian diet […]
- Humans
From the September 29, 1934, issue
Structural details of chromosomes, America's Cup yacht technology, and an improved street car.
- Humans
Skeptical Brains
At the Web site of the McDonnell Foundation, a private funder of scientific research, peruse examples of recent media misinterpretations of brain studies—as chosen by foundation staffers—at a page titled “BAD Neuro-Journalism.” Go to: http://www.jsmf.org/about/s/badneuro/index.htm
- Health & Medicine
Coffee’s curious heart effects
Very high or low daily consumption of coffee appears to pose far more of a heart risk than drinking moderately.
- Anthropology
Ancient head case
A 1.8-million-year-old Homo erectus skullcap came from a 1-year-old child whose brain grew at a rate more like that of chimpanzees than of people.
- Archaeology
Original Microbrews
Pots, vats, and other artifacts unearthed on three continents are giving archaeologists new clues about ancient cultures' beer-brewing practices.
- Health & Medicine
Omega-3’s May Hit Food Labels
The Food and Drug Administration has announced that it will allow manufacturers to make certain health claims about omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish and other foods.
