News
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Health & MedicineTwice bitten
Repeat episodes of Lyme disease are more likely caused by a second tick bite rather than by a return of the original illness.
By Brian Vastag -
Health & MedicineUlcer bug may prevent asthma
Children whose stomachs carry the bacterium Helicobacter pylori are at lower risk for asthma than children who don't have the bug.
By Brian Vastag -
HumansMath clubs get national sponsor
A math group is offering all U.S. middle schools free materials to set up clubs aimed at making math fun.
By Janet Raloff -
Stored blood loses some of its punch
Loss of nitric oxide from donated blood that's been stored for as little as 3 hours could impair its ability to flow through a recipient's blood vessels.
By Nathan Seppa -
Materials SciencePolymer could improve natural gas purification
A new polymer membrane that efficiently separates carbon dioxide from methane could greatly ease the processing of natural gas.
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AstronomyRecord-breaking supernova
A newly discovered supernova, 100 billion times as bright as the sun, is the most luminous ever recorded.
By Ron Cowen -
Health & MedicineLooking for Biomarkers: Protein signature may warn of impending Alzheimer’s disease
Measuring the amounts of certain proteins in the blood might provide early warning of Alzheimer's disease.
By Nathan Seppa -
EarthBad Acid: Ocean’s pH drop threatens snail defense
As ocean waters trend toward acidity, a result of atmospheric greenhouse gas buildup, a shoreline snail's defense against predatory crabs may weaken.
By Susan Milius -
Planetary SciencePortrait of a Martian crater
An ultrasharp image of part of Mars' Gale crater shows waterborne sediments and volcanic ash.
By Ron Cowen -
Health & MedicineBeware the Starlings: Common birds can carry avian influenza
Common songbirds such as starlings may be able to carry and spread avian influenza.
By Brian Vastag -
PhysicsAxion Gone: New tests find no sign of anomalous particle
New experiments contradict earlier claims of the discovery of the axion, a possible constituent of cosmic dark matter.
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Health & MedicineRegulating Muscle Decline: Small molecules linked to degenerative diseases
Snippets of RNA that regulate gene activity play a role in muscle-wasting diseases such as muscular dystrophy.