News
- Space
Evening star goes black in rare celestial event
Astronomers position themselves to capture crucial measurements as the planet passes across the face of the sun.
By Nadia Drake - Tech
Imperfect chip pretty darn good
Faster, smaller and more efficient, processors with that cut corners can still be good for some applications.
- Tech
DNA used as rewritable data storage in cells
Genetically encoded memory could track cell division inside the body.
- Earth
Pumping groundwater raises sea level
Two new studies flag an underreported factor in global ocean change.
By Janet Raloff - Life
Climate change miscues may shrink species’ outer limits
Ecological partnerships are getting out of sync especially at high latitudes, a study of hummingbirds suggests.
By Susan Milius - Health & Medicine
Severe sleep apnea tied to cancer risk
A chronic lack of oxygen caused by disrupted rest may explain the association, researchers say.
By Nathan Seppa -
- Humans
From cancer to quantum, teens’ scientific feats celebrated
Winners of the 2012 Intel ISEF show the promise of science for improving the world.
By Devin Powell - Life
Good cholesterol may not be what keeps the heart healthy
Genetic study suggests that higher levels of HDL aren’t directly responsible for the lower risk of cardiovascular disease seen in population studies.
- Animals
Better bird nesting also good for giant manta rays
Disrupting tree canopies on a Pacific atoll discourages big fish off shore through a long chain of ecological consequences.
By Susan Milius - Chemistry
Dancing droplets reveal physics at work
Magnetic fields can deflect liquid oxygen subject to the unusual “Leidenfrost effect.”
- Health & Medicine
Coffee gives jolt to life span
Unlike wine's, coffee's benefits apparently keep increasing well beyond the first two servings.
By Nathan Seppa