News
- Anthropology
. . . and then takes some lumps
The skeletal diversity that many scientists use to divide up fossil species in our evolutionary past masks a genetic unity that actually encompassed relatively few species, contend researchers in an opposing camp.
- Anthropology
Our family tree does the splits…
Large-scale changes in climate and habitats may have sparked the evolution of many new animal species in Africa beginning 7 million to 5 million years ago, including a string of new species in the human evolutionary family.
- Humans
Biomedicine, defense to sidestep budget ax
President Bush's first budget request would boost funding for biomedical and military research but trim federal outlays for other areas of science and technology.
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Lifestyles of the bright and toxic overlap
The first study of home life for Madagascar's poison frogs in the wild finds a striking resemblance to a group that's not closely related, the poison-dart frogs in the Americas.
- Chemistry
Liver cells thrive on novel silicon chips
Researchers have coaxed finicky liver cells to grow on porous silicon chips, a feat that could lead to new medical treatments.
- Health & Medicine
Infections tied to head and neck cancers
Infections from human papillomavirus (HPV) may increase the risk of certain cancers of the head and neck, especially of the tonsils.
- Archaeology
Ancient ash flow brought sudden death
Analysis of the excavation in Herculaneum of the victims of the A.D. 79 eruption of Italy's Mount Vesuvius indicates that when the initial ash flow swept through the city, it arrived so quickly that some residents didn't even have time to flinch.
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Viruses may play a part in schizophrenia
Scientists have for the first time linked high levels of retroviral activity in the central nervous system to some cases of schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder.
- Health & Medicine
Boosting Boron Could Be Healthful
Largely ignored so far, dietary boron may play important roles in preventing diseases such as arthritis and prostate cancer.
- Chemistry
Leaden news for city neighborhoods
Researchers have identified more than 400 urban sites that may be highly contaminated with lead but had remained unknown to authorities for decades.
- Chemistry
Would you like wheat with that burger?
Researchers have used wheat to make a biodegradable hamburger carton.
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Gene therapy won’t replace Viagra—yet
Scientists are making progress toward inserting genes to cure impotence temporarily.
