News
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Health & MedicineWeapon of bone destruction identified
Scientists discover myeloma’s secret bone-destroying messenger.
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AstronomySigns of planet detected around sun’s nearest neighbor star
A planet roughly the size of Earth orbits within the habitable zone of Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the sun.
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Quantum PhysicsExperiment confirms plan for quantum-coded messages
A new way to send secret quantum messages uses shorter keys.
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AnimalsWays to beat heat have hidden costs for birds
Birds that look as if they’re coping with heat waves and climate change may actually be on a downward slide, with underappreciated disadvantages of panting and seeking shade.
By Susan Milius -
OceansLack of nutrients stalled rebound of marine life post-Permian extinction
Warm sea surface temperatures slowed the nitrogen cycle in Earth’s oceans and delayed the recovery of life following the Permian extinction, researchers propose.
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NeuroscienceFentanyl’s death toll is rising
The ability of fentanyl, an opioid, to freeze chest muscles within minutes may be to blame for some overdoses, a new autopsy study shows.
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NeuroscienceEating shuts down nerve cells that counter obesity
A group of nerve cells shut down when food hits the lips, a study of mice finds.
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ArchaeologyHow to get Ötzi’s look
DNA from Ötzi the Iceman’s clothes and quiver traced to both domesticated and wild animals.
By Bruce Bower -
EarthAmericas’ hookup not so ancient after all
Debate lingers over when the Isthmus of Panama formed and closed the seaway that separated North and South America millions of years ago.
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GeneticsGenetic diversity data offers medical benefits
Study of protein-producing DNA narrows down disease-causing genetic variants.
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Health & MedicineWhen it comes to antimicrobial resistance, watch out for wildlife
Focusing on antimicrobial resistance in hospitals and farms misses a big and not well understood part of the issue: wildlife.
By Susan Milius -
LifeGenes that control toxin production in C. difficile ID’d
Pinpointing the genes behind Clostridium difficile toxin production could help researchers disarm the superbug without killing “good” bacteria.