Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Anthropology
Neandertals and humans each get a grip
A fossil analysis indicates that, by about 100,000 years ago, modern humans in the Middle East had hands suited to holding stone tools by attached handles, whereas Neandertals did not.
- Health & Medicine
One-Two Drug Punch Trips Up Leukemia
A leukemia cell seals its own fate when researchers trap cancer-causing proteins in its nucleus.
- Humans
Amateur Scientist
The Web site of the Society for Amateur Scientists offers discussion forums, projects, and resources for people interested in taking part “in scientific adventures of all kinds.” Go to: http://earth.thesphere.com/sas/ or http://www.sas.org/
- Health & Medicine
‘Bug’ spray cuts risk of ear infection
Spraying “good” bacteria into the nose reduced the incidence of ear infections in children especially prone to such infections.
- Humans
Science Talent Search announces finalists
Science Service and Intel announced the 40 finalists of the 2001 Intel Science Talent Search this week.
- Health & Medicine
Medicinal Mimicry
While researchers tease out the mechanisms behind the ability of inert pills and sham procedures to trigger health benefits, the ethics of using such placebos in medical research trials is coming under increasing scrutiny.
- Health & Medicine
Success clearing clogged arteries
In the past 10 years, angioplasty and other procedures to unblock clogged arteries have steadily improved, probably due to increasing use of wire-mesh tubes called stents to help patients’ arteries stay open.
- Health & Medicine
A sticky problem solved
Researchers have identified a protein integral to making blood clot, a finding they hope will lead to better drugs for preventing clots in people at risk of heart attack or stroke.
- Humans
Explosions, not a collision, sank the Kursk
Analyses of the shock waves recorded at seismic stations across northern Europe indicate that the Russian submarine Kursk sank due to onboard explosions, not a run-in with another vessel.
- Health & Medicine
Found: Mutation for deadly nerve disorder
Two research teams have discovered the genetic mutation that causes familial dysautonomia, a lethal hereditary disease that causes nervous system damage.
- Health & Medicine
Radiation therapy keeps arteries clear
Two new studies add to the growing evidence that radiation treatment may keep arteries open longer after angioplasty.
- Anthropology
Rumble in the Jungle
A new book raises troubling and controversial issues regarding research on a famous South American Indian population.
