News
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Earth2006: Hottest year in U.S. history
Preliminary analyses of weather data gathered from more than 1,200 sites across the continental United States indicate that last year was the warmest on record.
By Sid Perkins -
PaleontologyOf penguins’ range and climate change
Variations in the range of Adélie penguins along one section of Antarctica's coast during the past 45,000 years are a keen indicator of climate change there.
By Sid Perkins -
Health & MedicineNanoparticles find tumors, form clumps
Newly designed nanoparticles could have dual benefits in the fight against cancer.
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EarthMercury pollution settles in hot spots
Certain areas of North America are particularly susceptible to environmental accumulation of mercury.
By Ben Harder -
ChemistrySwitch Hitters: Antibacterial compounds target new mechanism to kill microbes
Recently discovered ribonucleic acid segments, called riboswitches, may become prime targets for new antibacterial drugs.
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Materials ScienceElectrode Enhancements: New materials may boost fuel cell performance
Two teams have independently discovered ways to dramatically improve the materials used in the electrodes of fuel cells.
By Sid Perkins -
PlantsBiggest Bloom: Superflower changes branch on family tree
The plants with the world's largest flowers, the rafflesias, need to be moved closer to poinsettias on the family tree of plant life.
By Susan Milius -
Health & MedicineNo Fluke: New weapon against tropical parasite
An experimental drug shows potential against schistosomiasis.
By Nathan Seppa -
EcosystemsAlien Alert: Shrimpy invader raises big concerns
A shrimplike European invader just discovered in the Great Lakes could prove ecologically disruptive to populations of native lake animals.
By Janet Raloff -
AstronomyFleet Finding: Speed of Milky Way’s companions poses puzzle
New measurements of the speed of two familiar companion galaxies to the Milky Way suggest some unfamiliar possibilities.
By Ron Cowen -
Health & MedicineFolic Acid Dilemma: One vitamin may impair cognition if another is lacking
The nutrient folic acid is generally good for brain health, but research now suggests that too much of it might harm people who get too little vitamin B12.
By Ben Harder -
Genes discovered for sensing carbon dioxide
Researchers have tracked down a pair of genes that, together, seem responsible for some insects' ability to sense carbon dioxide.