Science & Society
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Agriculture
A taste of the chocolate genome
Competing teams have announced the impending completion of the cacao DNA sequence.
- Anthropology
Genome of a chief
Ancient DNA experts say they are analyzing a lock of Sitting Bull's hair.
- Science & Society
Citation inflation
Many journals – and the authors who publish their novel data and analyses in them – rely on “impact factors” as a gauge of the importance and prestige of their work. However, a new analysis turns up subtle ways that journals can game the system to artificially inflate their impact factor.
- Science & Society
Students win big at Intel ISEF 2010
Global high school science competition concludes with top prizes going to projects on cancer-fighting quantum dots, quantum computer algorithms and computer programming.
- Science & Society
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair begins
Young scientists converge in San Jose, Calif., where they will compete for over $4 million in scholarships and prizes.
- Science & Society
Intel Science Talent Search spotlights America’s whiz kids
Top winner of the enduring high school science competition takes 2010 prize for work on a space navigation system.
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- Science & Society
Book Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
In her new book, science writer Rebecca Skloot describes how Henrietta Lacks' cells changed the face of modern medical science.
- Science & Society
Science literacy: U.S. college courses really count
Over the past two decades, science literacy in the United States – an estimate of the share of adults who can follow complex science issues and maybe even render an informed opinion on them – has nearly tripled. But – and it’s a big but -- the proportion of people who fall into this category remains small. Just 28 percent.
- Science & Society
Placement of marine reserves is key
A study finds that focusing on the heaviest-fished areas can help meet conservation goals.
- Science & Society
In Memoriam: In life and death, a scientist brings out the best in others
BLOG: Science News reporter Bruce Bower describes how relationship researchers gathered to honor Caryl Rusbult’s influential career after her recent death.
- Science & Society
A modest proposal for federal science spending
President’s proposed FY 2011 budget outlines 5.9 percent increase in nondefense-related research and development funding.
