News
-
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.
-
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.
-
AnthropologyGoing Coastal: Sea cave yields ancient signs of modern behavior
A South African cave yields evidence of complex, symbolic behavior among ancient people about 164,000 years ago, the oldest such indications yet.
By Bruce Bower -
Health & MedicineBetter Than Pap: Virus test detects cervical cancer
A new test for human papillomavirus (HPV) detects cervical cancer more reliably than traditional Pap smears.
-
Emotional memory
The action of a stress hormone could be why emotionally charged events form especially vivid and durable memories.
-
Bacteria thrive by freeloading
Mutant bacteria thrive by freeloading off their hard-working kin, but these slackers revert to working normally if they become too numerous.
-
Materials ScienceFeet of clay, but superstrong
Gluing together nanoscale clay particles with a simple adhesive creates a strong but flexible material.