News

  1. Neuroscience

    Brain regions linking odors to words pinpointed

    Scientists have pinpointed two brain regions involved in linking odors to their names, with implications for why smells are hard to identify.

    By Rachel Ehrenberg
  2. Life

    Epic worldwide effort explores all of insect history

    A whopper of a genetic analysis fits all living orders of insects into one genealogical evolutionary tree.

    By Susan Milius
  3. Life

    Norovirus grown in lab, with help from bacteria

    Norovirus, famous for sickening cruise ship passengers, has finally been grown in human cells in a lab, offering scientists a chance to test new therapies.

    By Meghan Rosen
  4. Psychology

    With a tap on the back, researchers create ghostly sensation

    Experimentally induced illusion probes supernatural experiences, hallucinations.

    By Bruce Bower
  5. Materials Science

    Batteries become safe to swallow with spongy covering

    Quantum-inspired coating switches from a conductor to an insulator to prevent injury from swallowed batteries.

    By Beth Mole
  6. Materials Science

    ‘Impermeable’ graphene yields to protons

    Graphene sheets, impermeable to all atoms and molecules, can be penetrated by protons, new study shows.

    By Andrew Grant
  7. Astronomy

    Nearly starless galaxies found in nearby cluster

    Astronomers have found 47 galaxies with relatively few stars, something not predicted by any galaxy formation theories.

    By Christopher Crockett
  8. Genetics

    Genes influence Ebola’s impact

    A study in a diverse strain of mice shows how the effect of an Ebola infection can depend on genes.

    By Meghan Rosen
  9. Health & Medicine

    Dengue vaccine offers partial protection

    Shots reduce severe cases of dengue among children in large study in Latin America.

    By Nathan Seppa
  10. Cosmology

    Gamma rays offer mixed messages on identity of dark matter

    Conflicting results from Fermi telescope puzzle astronomers about dark matter’s true identity.

    By Andrew Grant
  11. Life

    Gut microbes less diverse in humans than in apes

    An analysis of gut bacteria shows that humans have evolved to possess less diversity in microbe populations.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  12. Life

    Hummingbirds take stab at rivals with dagger-tipped bills

    Sharp points on the bills of male long-billed hermit hummingbirds may have evolved as weaponry.

    By Susan Milius