Humans

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Humans

    From the February 11, 1933, issue

    YELLOW SODIUM LIGHT EFFECTIVE OUTDOORS A commercial application has been found for the extremely efficient sodium-vapor lamp. A highway in Holland is now illuminated with these light units giving off an intense yellow glow; and this light, which makes color discrimination impossible and is devastating to Miladys makeup, is said to be especially desirable for […]

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  2. Health & Medicine

    Sobering Work

    Unraveling alcohol's effects on the developing brain.

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  3. Health & Medicine

    Mind Numbing: Anesthesia in baby rats stunts brain development

    General anesthetic drugs commonly used in pediatric surgery, when given to baby rats, trigger brain cells to commit a cellular form of suicide that leads to lasting memory and learning deficits.

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  4. Humans

    Budget Boosts and Busts: R&D for Defense, NASA garner funding rise

    The President's $2.23 trillion federal budget proposal contains nearly $123 billion to fund federal research and development, an increase of about $8 billion over last year’s proposal.

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  5. Health & Medicine

    Exonerated? Foods’ acrylamide risks appear low

    A new study downplays the likelihood that people will develop cancer from eating foods naturally tainted with acrylamide, a building block of many plastics and an animal carcinogen.

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  6. Health & Medicine

    Dietary Dilemmas

    Low-carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins diet, could be more effective for weight loss than low-fat diets are.

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  7. Health & Medicine

    Stress-prone? Altering the diet may help

    Tailoring a diet to fuel the brain with the precursor of a mood-enhancing chemical may help vulnerable individuals cope with stress.

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  8. Anthropology

    Gene test probes Neandertal origins

    A new DNA study supports the theory that Neandertals didn't contribute to the evolution of modern humans.

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  9. Health & Medicine

    DNA vaccine for measles shows promise

    A measles vaccine consisting of just a couple of DNA strands proves effective in monkeys, possibly presenting an alternative or complementary vaccine for the standard immunization now used worldwide.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    Diet Tip—Close Your Eyes

    How many times has your resolve to eat prudently been sabotaged by the sight of a buffet table, Mom’s Thanksgiving specialties, or pastries on the dessert cart? Just because a plate is full of food doesn’t mean one has to finish it all. For many of us, new data show, listening to the way our […]

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  11. Humans

    From the February 4, 1933, issue

    SUPERLATIVE SPLENDOR REVEALED BY EXCAVATIONS IN PERSIA Eastern magnificence that surrounded Persian emperors 2,500 years ago is revealed by excavations at Persepolis. Palaces of the kings are being brought to light there by Dr. Ernest Herzfeld excavating for the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. The sculptured walls arouse comparisons with glories of one […]

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  12. Humans

    Talent Found: Top science students chosen in 62nd annual competition

    Forty wunderkinder, named as finalists in the annual Intel Science Talent Search, will collect $530,000 in scholarships for original research in science, mathematics, and engineering.

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