News
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Health & MedicineGene linked to some smokers’ lung cancer
FGFR1 is amped up in a subset of cancers; inhibiting its proteins can shrink tumors in mice.
By Nathan Seppa -
EarthGassy volcanoes tied to mass extinction
Chemicals from a massive Siberian eruption 250 million years ago may have polluted the atmosphere and killed off most life on the planet.
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LifeMice missing protein burn more fat
Research on the receptor for the 'hunger hormone' suggests a molecular strategy for revving up the body’s furnace.
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Health & MedicineSalvia says high
Laboratory researchers show that the psychoactive substance in a popular, largely legal recreational drug causes a short but intense period of hallucination.
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HumansApartments share tobacco smoke
Children in nonsmoking families have higher levels of secondhand exposure if they live in multifamily dwellings.
By Janet Raloff -
ChemistryClever way to break the nitrogen-nitrogen bond
New chemical reaction cleaves dinitrogen molecule and brings carbon and nitrogen together.
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LifeNew cellular ‘bones’ revealed
Proteins that make filaments may offer hints to how cellular scaffolding evolved.
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LifeCells reprogrammed to treat diabetes
The testes may be an alternate source of insulin production.
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Planetary ScienceSaturn’s rings explained
A huge shattered moon could have sprayed ice particles around the newborn planet.
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LifeRooting for swarm intelligence in plants
Researchers argue for a type of vegetative group decision making usually associated with humans and social animals, and go out on a limb by also proposing that information may be transmitted electrically.
By Susan Milius -
ChemistryLocks to learn
A new way to probe interactions between pairs of hairs could offer insights into fly-aways and other tonsorial woes.
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PsychologyFace memory peaks late, after age 30
Striking an unanticipated blow for mature thinkers, 30- to 34-year-olds have the best face memory.
By Bruce Bower