News

Tech

Smashing the Microscope: Tiny crashes harnessed for nanoconstruction

A new technique supplies loose atoms for nanoscale experiments by using the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope to gouge out craters from a surface.

Materials Science

Electronics Detox: Leadfree material for ecofriendly gadgetry

Responding to growing concern over the disposal of electronic devices, scientists in Japan have created a lead-free piezoceramic that could replace the toxic components in many of these gadgets.

Health & Medicine

Persistent Cough: Pertussis rises in young adults and infants

Pertussis, or whooping cough, appears to be rebounding in many age groups, causing long-lasting symptoms in adolescents and adults and threatening the lives of unvaccinated infants.

Animals

Poison Source: Toxic birds may get chemical from beetle

When some poisonous New Guinea birds eat certain tiny beetles, they may be stocking up on the toxic substance they use to defend themselves.

Health & Medicine

Nicotine’s Good Side: Substance curbs sepsis in mice

Nicotine halted the progression of severe sepsis in mice, suggesting a new avenue for treating this acute blood infection.

Planetary Science

Titanic Close-up: Cassini eyes Saturn’s big moon

Using radar to penetrate the thick haze surrounding Saturn's moon Titan, the Cassini spacecraft has found evidence that the moon's surface is coated with hydrocarbons and dark patches that might be lakes of ethane or methane.

Health & Medicine

High-fat diets slim down learning

High-fat diets decrease the ability of male rats to learn and remember.

Health & Medicine

Drug abuse could be an occupational hazard

Breathing minuscule amounts of painkillers administered to patients in surgery may increase an anesthesiologist's risk of abusing prescription drugs.

Health & Medicine

Acne drug affects brain function

The antiacne drug Accutane may decrease activity in a part of the brain that regulates mood.