News
- Space
Life has prospects on moons of giant extrasolar planets
Astronomers show how bodies orbiting distant Jupiters could be habitable.
By Andrew Grant - Tech
Trick of light makes microwave imaging simple
Metamaterials and math combine to produce a quick, cheap system.
- Health & Medicine
Flu shot during pregnancy is safe, but flu isn’t
Illness in the mother nearly doubles the risk of a miscarriage or stillbirth in second or third trimester, a new study shows.
By Nathan Seppa - Psychology
Depression gene search disappoints
A comprehensive effort to find links between genetic variants and low mood comes up empty.
- Space
Stellar baby picture
The newborn stars, not even a million years old, formed when regions of a cloud of cool dust and gas (visible at center left) collapsed from gravity.
By Andrew Grant - Animals
Finally, the truth about barnacle sex is revealed
A genetic analysis shows that the sessile crustaceans can broadcast sperm in water, contrary to previous assumptions.
By Susan Milius - Animals
Claims of fairness in apes have critics crying foul
A report that chimps divvy up rewards much as people do draws criticism.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
Fast food linked to asthma risk
A diet high in fast food seems to increase the risk of asthma in young children and adolescents, survey data from more than a half-million people finds.
By Nathan Seppa - Health & Medicine
Newborns’ brains bear signs of adult illnesses
Disease genes associated with reduced volume in certain regions at birth.
- Physics
New clock revolves around an atom’s mass
A controversial new study claims that time can be measured by precisely determining a single particle's heft.
By Andrew Grant - Humans
Pruney digits help people get a grip
Finger and toe wrinkling may have evolved as an adaptation to wet conditions.
By Tanya Lewis - Health & Medicine
Updated Pap smear detects ovarian, uterine cancers
Adding a genetic analysis to the procedure reveals mutations specific to the two malignancies.
By Nathan Seppa