News

  1. Physics

    Road Bumps: Why dirt roads develop a washboard surface

    Experiments and a computer simulation show why dirt roads develop a washboard surface, and indicate the only way to prevent it: Drive very slowly.

    By Julie Rehmeyer

  2. Depression Defense: Sick elderly get mood aid from home treatment

    Instructional therapy to promote coping strategies helps elderly people with incipient blindness ward off depression—at least in the short run.

    By Bruce Bower

  3. Protein Lineages: Randomness was crucial to ancient genetic changes

    Reconstruction of an ancient protein shows how seemingly unimportant mutations paved the way for its evolution into a molecule with an essential modern role.

    By Patrick Barry
  4. Materials Science

    Shocking Sheets: Power paper packs a punch

    Ultrathin sheets made from cellulose and carbon nanotubes could serve as flexible, versatile batteries.