News
- Health & Medicine
Migraines may carry long-term baggage
Headaches with aura may be linked to the formation of microscopic brain lesions in women and possibly to a heightened risk of stroke.
By Nathan Seppa - Physics
Glass beads cluster as they flow
High-speed camera catches liquidlike behavior in a stream of granular material.
- Archaeology
Stone Age flutes found in Germany
Excavations in Germany have unearthed what may be the oldest known musical instruments.
By Bruce Bower - Space
Iron-ic twist deepens cosmic ray puzzle
Researchers announce an intriguing new finding about the most energetic charged particles in the universe.
By Ron Cowen - Life
Long-lasting daddy longlegs
Fossils of two new daddy longlegs species have been unearthed in China.
By Sid Perkins - Health & Medicine
Test might ascertain who needs appendectomy
Appendicitis might be diagnosable with a new urine test, an advance that could prevent many unnecessary surgeries.
By Nathan Seppa - Archaeology
Ancient granaries preceded the Agricultural Revolution
Granaries excavated in Jordan indicate that people stored large quantities of wild cereals by about 11,300 years ago, a practice that led to the cultivation of domesticated plants, a new study suggests.
By Bruce Bower - Tech
Molecule gears up
Researchers have made one of the most basic components of a machine out of a snowflake-shaped molecule.
- Physics
Martian lightning
The Red Planet’s dust devils charge up particles, providing first direct evidence of this type of electrical discharge on Mars.
- Health & Medicine
Downside of red-hot chili peppers
In the wild, a culinary kick comes with risks to the plant.
By Susan Milius - Life
Mosquito fish count comrades to stay alive
New experiments indicate that mosquito fish can count small numbers of companions swimming in different groups, an ability that apparently evolved to assist these fish in avoiding predators.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
A role for Merkels
Mysterious skin cells known as Merkel cells are required to sense light touches.