News
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Health & MedicineMalaria Reversal: Drug regains potency in African nation
An inexpensive drug that had lost much of its punch against malaria over the past 20 years is showing signs of regaining its strength in the African nation of Malawi.
By Nathan Seppa -
PaleontologyEarly tetrapod likely ate on shore
The skull structure of Acanthostega, a semiaquatic creature that lived about 365 million years ago, suggests that the animal fed on shore or in the shallows, not in deep water.
By Sid Perkins -
PaleontologySociety sans frills
The discovery of the fossils of several young dinosaurs in one small space suggests that the members of one dinosaur group evolved complex social behaviors millions of years earlier than previously suspected.
By Sid Perkins -
PaleontologyDNA analysis reveals extinct type of wolf
New genetic analyses of the remains of gray wolves found in Alaska indicate that a distinct subpopulation of that species disappeared at the end of the last ice age, possibly because of its dietary habits.
By Sid Perkins -
PaleontologyRodents tell a geologic tale
The sudden appearance of many new species of rodents in Chile about 18 million years ago may have marked the rise of the southern Andes.
By Sid Perkins -
Dementia warning
A long-term study of people ages 65 and older in England and Wales indicates that the prevalence of brain disorders of memory and thinking, including Alzheimer's disease, increases sharply in aging populations.
By Bruce Bower -
Health & MedicineCurry may counter cognitive decline
A chemical found in turmeric may prevent cognitive impairment.
By Ben Harder -
Health & MedicineAbated Breath: Serotonin problems may contribute to SIDS
Babies who die of sudden infant death syndrome show abnormalities in the regulation of the chemical serotonin in their brains.
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AstronomyRejuvenating Observatory: Green light given for space telescope repairs
NASA this week gave the go-ahead for a shuttle crew to refurbish the Hubble Space Telescope and to install new detectors that would vastly improve its capabilities.
By Ron Cowen -
EarthFlow West, Young River: Ancient Amazon ran opposite today’s route
The forerunner of the mighty Amazon ran from east to west, a new analysis of rocks laid down by that ancient river suggests.
By Sid Perkins -
Health & MedicineL’Chaim: Wine compound lengthens mouse lives
A constituent of red wine appears to increase the life spans and boost the well-being of mice that haven't followed the healthiest of lifestyles.
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Materials ScienceDribble Quibble: Experiments find that new basketball gets slick
According to preliminary results from a study at a physics lab, a new basketball for professional players bounces less elastically, veers more when it bounces, and becomes more slippery when damp than does a leather ball.
By Peter Weiss