News
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Health & MedicineViagra might rescue risky pregnancies
Viagra shows promise for limiting threats of fetal loss from preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure that frequently occurs during pregnancy.
By Janet Raloff -
Blue light keeps night owls going
A study of nine young men suggests that blue light is more effective than yellow at beating back sleepiness and muting key physiological changes that normally occur in late evening.
By Ben Harder -
Planetary ScienceA moon with atmosphere
Magnetic measurements by the Cassini spacecraft have revealed that Saturn's moon Enceladus has a tenuous atmosphere containing water vapor.
By Ron Cowen -
EarthBlowflies shed mercury at maturity
Blowflies that absorb mercury from fish carcasses they feed on as larvae rid themselves of much of that toxic metal when they become adults.
By Ben Harder -
ChemistryColor Trails: Natural dyes in historic textiles get a closer look
A new chemical technique for extracting natural dyes from ancient textiles could help identify the plant species from which the colorants came.
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AnimalsFish Din: Reef clamor attracts young fish settlers
When looking for a home, young fish seem to prefer a reef that's alive with the sounds of shrimp and fish rather than a quieter environment.
By Susan Milius -
TechOpen Sesame: Portable devices may achieve magnetic resonance views
Top-notch magnetic resonance sensing now found only in hospitals and chemical labs may become available in portable devices, thanks to a new type of magnetic sensor.
By Peter Weiss -
Remote Control Minds: Light flashes direct fruit fly behavior
Researchers have exerted a little mind control over fruit flies by designing and installing genetic 'remote controls' within the insects' brains.
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AstronomyStellar Question: Extrasolar planet or failed star?
A tiny dot of light next to a young, sunlike star might be the long-sought image of an extrasolar planet.
By Ron Cowen -
Health & MedicineMolecular Switch: Protein may influence chronic-pain disorder
A cell-surface protein found in the nervous system may play a central role in a chronic-pain condition known as neuropathy.
By Nathan Seppa -
AnthropologyUntangling Ancient Roots: Earliest hominid shows new, improved face
New fossil finds and a digitally reconstructed skull bolster the claim that the oldest known member of the human evolutionary family lived in central Africa between 6 million and 7 million years ago.
By Bruce Bower -
PhysicsLone protein molecule could tip this scale
A scale-on-a-chip capable of weighing individual, biologically active proteins took a step closer to reality as a minuscule, vibrating bridge detected the mass of a mere 30 xenon atoms.
By Peter Weiss