News
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Health & Medicine
Therapeutic sorghum?
Sorghum's inflammation-fighting activity is comparable to that of a prescription arthritis medicine, animal research indicates.
By Janet Raloff -
Physics
Broadband vision
Cells that act like optical fibers could explain why vertebrate retinas have sharp vision despite being mounted backwards.
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Plants
Tiny pool protects flower buds
A rare structure on flowers, tiny cups that keep buds underwater until they bloom, can protect the buds from marauding moths.
By Susan Milius -
Humans
Extreme Encyclopedia: Every living thing will get its own page
A consortium of museums and laboratories has unveiled plans to create a free, Web-based Encyclopedia of Life with an entry for every living species.
By Susan Milius -
Physics
Invisible Trail: Analyzing the vortices in the wake of a bat
Flying bat generate lift and thrust with their wings much differently than birds do.
By Sid Perkins -
Cells’ Root: Adult stem cells have a master gene
Scientists have found a master gene that allows tissue-regenerating stem cells to retain their regenerative capacity.
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Astronomy
Stellar Spectacular: Brightest supernova
Astronomers have discovered the brightest stellar explosion ever observed, and it could be the first example of a rare type of supernova involving a freakishly massive star.
By Ron Cowen -
Physics
Degrees of Quantumness: Shades of gray in particle-wave duality
Light can be made to act as if it's composed of particles, waves, or something in between.
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No Place Like Om: Meditation training puts oomph into attention
Intensive meditation training boosts a person's control over attention and expands a person's ability to notice rapidly presented items.
By Bruce Bower -
Health & Medicine
Risk Factor: Throat cancer linked to virus spread by sex
Cancer of the throat and tonsils can arise from infection with a sexually transmitted virus.
By Nathan Seppa -
Humans
Lethal injection is inhumane, say researchers
Prisoners killed by lethal injection may be conscious and experience pain and burning sensations while they asphyxiate.
By Brian Vastag -
Animals
Sex—perhaps a good idea after all
A family of mites may be the first animal lineage shown to have abandoned sexual reproduction and then reevolved it millions of years later.
By Susan Milius