News
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LifeThe eyes have it: Long lashes not so lovely
Eyelashes can’t be too short or too long without ruining their aerodynamic protection.
By Susan Milius -
Health & MedicineEarly peanut exposure can reduce likelihood of allergy
In many infants at risk of developing a peanut allergy, early and steady exposure to peanut butter prevents it, a new study finds.
By Nathan Seppa -
EcosystemsBubonic plague was a serial visitor in European Middle Ages
Outbreaks of Black Death in medieval Europe may have been triggered by faraway weather patterns and hungry gerbils.
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EarthSteam bubbles carry gold and sulfur up from Earth’s depths
Dense blends of metals and sulfur get a ride to the surface on water vapor bubbles.
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PsychologyGene variant may foretell success in program for at-risk kids
Disruptive children with DNA twist show biggest turnaround with 10-year intervention.
By Bruce Bower -
EcosystemsBluebird moms inadvertently fuel wars between species
Extra hormones delivered to eggs holding sons in tough times end up driving one bluebird species to chase off another
By Susan Milius -
CosmologyThe past according to Planck: Cosmologists got a lot right
New results from the Planck satellite largely support cosmologists’ theories, but leave the door open for new discoveries.
By Andrew Grant -
Health & MedicineNew HPV shot fends off more types of the virus
A new vaccine that covers more strains of the human papillomavirus protects better against cervical and other cancers.
By Nathan Seppa -
AnthropologyFossil teeth flesh out ancient kids’ varied growth rates
X-ray technique sheds light on hominids’ developmental variety.
By Bruce Bower -
GeneticsCatalog of DNA modifications produces surprises
A map of chemical modifications of DNA and its associated proteins shows how the genome changes during development and disease.
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GeneticsFor penguins, it’s a matter of no taste
Penguins lack taste genes for bitter, sweet and umami.
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Materials ScienceOld chemistry gives jolt to modern batteries
Chemical reactions discovered in the 19th century improve the performance of futuristic batteries.