News
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Copycat Monkeys: Macaque babies ape adults’ facial feats
Scientists for the first time have established that baby monkeys, shortly after birth, imitate facial movements made by people and adult monkeys.
By Bruce Bower -
EarthPlastics agent worsens skin allergies
Low doses of one of the most commonly used softeners in plastics can aggravate dust-mite allergy.
By Janet Raloff -
Sleep disorder tied to brain ills in kids
Researchers have linked a severe form of sleep apnea in children to brain irregularities that may contribute to learning problems.
By Bruce Bower -
Health & MedicineHerpes simplex viruses dip in prevalence
Two viruses that cause genital herpes decreased in prevalence in the United States during the past 2 decades.
By Ben Harder -
Health & MedicineOld drug can stop clots as well as newer drug does
A decades-old form of the anticlotting drug heparin is as safe, as effective, and potentially as convenient to use as recent derivatives that are many times more expensive.
By Ben Harder -
EarthAre pollutants shrinking polar bear gonads?
New research links persistent pollutants with reproductive impairment in polar bears.
By Janet Raloff -
High-protein diets boost hunger-taming hormone
Eating protein appears to boost blood concentrations of a hormone recently found to restrict appetite.
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PhysicsRadiant plasma may combat cavities
Dentists may someday disinfect teeth with a newly demonstrated, handheld stylus that exudes glowing plasma deadly to cavity-causing bacteria.
By Peter Weiss -
Stem cells sense stiffness
Stem cells can sense the texture of whatever medium they're growing on and use this quality to guide their fate.
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Katrina’s Two-Sided Impact: Survey finds disorders, resilience after tragedy
In the year after surviving Hurricane Katrina, Gulf Coast residents experienced a surge in serious mental disorders combined with elements of personal growth and emotional resilience.
By Bruce Bower -
Planetary ScienceDoggone! Pluto gets a planetary demotion
The solar system has only eight planets, and Pluto isn't one of them, according to the first-ever definition of a planet, approved last week by the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union.
By Ron Cowen -
Health & MedicineHead to Head: Brain implants are better for Parkinson’s patients
Parkinson's patients who get electrodes surgically implanted in their brains regain some muscle control and have improved quality of life.
By Nathan Seppa