News
- Humans
Cannibalism in Colonial America comes to life
Researchers have found the first skeletal evidence that starving colonists ate their own.
By Bruce Bower - Physics
Counting cracks in glass gives speed of projectile
There is a simple relationship between an object's velocity and the number of spokes it leaves in a dinged windshield or fractured windowpane.
By Andrew Grant - Life
Genetic fossils betray hepatitis B’s ancient roots
Modern bird genomes reveal evidence that virus is at least 82 million years old.
- Life
Bees need honey’s natural pharmaceuticals
Ingredients trigger insects' genes for detoxification and immune defenses against bacteria.
By Susan Milius - Health & Medicine
Brain measurements predict math progress with tutoring
The size and connections of a brain structure associated with memory formation predicted learning ability in 8- and 9-year-old children.
By Meghan Rosen - Health & Medicine
Hookah smoking delivers carcinogens and carbon monoxide
Water pipes deliver carcinogens, nicotine and carbon monoxide to the user, a study finds.
By Nathan Seppa - Life
Signs of culture in whales and monkeys
Mammals learn feeding behaviors from their friends and family members.
By Meghan Rosen - Life
So far, the great tit has coped with climate change
Earlier arrival of birds’ food due to warming temperatures hasn’t yet reduced bird population.
By Susan Milius - Humans
Maya civilization’s roots may lie in ritual
Cultural exchanges in southern Mexico and Guatemala tied to ancient society's rise.
By Bruce Bower - Humans
Web searches for money words anticipate market moves
Dow drops follow weeks when more people search Google for ‘debt’ or ‘stocks.’
- Earth
Early Earth’s chlorine blown away by giant impacts
Low levels of chlorine on planet's surface have long puzzled scientists.
By Erin Wayman - Life
Mutation makes H5N1 flu lose its grip
Laboratory-added genetic change makes avian influenza unable to bind to bird cells.