Uncategorized
- Life
Darwin: The reluctant mathematician
Despite disliking mathematics, the great biologist inadvertently advanced statistics.
- Life
Duplication in genomes may separate humans from apes
A sudden peak in duplication of chunks of DNA in the common ancestor of humans, chimps and gorillas led to genetic flexibility, which created differences among the species.
- Humans
For gamblers’ brains, almost counts
In an experiment mimicking slot machines, people’s brains reacted similarly to almost winning as to winning, possibly explaining why gambling can be addictive.
- Health & Medicine
A better test for prostate cancer
Elevated urine concentrations of a compound called sarcosine in men with prostate cancer may signal an aggressive malignancy.
- Psychology
Fatal fallout of financial failure
Using population data, researchers have linked a widespread Asian economic crisis in 1997 to an abrupt increase in suicide rates the following year in hard-hit places.
- Climate
Winter birds shift north
More than 170 common North American species are wintering farther north than they did in the past.
- Life
Mother right whales know best, maybe
Southern right whales learn where to eat from mom and may not seek new feeding grounds if these favorite restaurants go belly-up.
- Life
Vertebrates, perhaps even humans, share teeth genes
Researchers have uncovered what may be a shared genetic toolkit for teeth, one common among vertebrates and mammals, including humans
- Health & Medicine
Postpartum psychosis most likely in month after childbirth
Mothers who develop postpartum psychosis are at greatest risk during the first month after childbirth, and even mothers with no previous history of mental illness could develop the condition
- Ecosystems
Flowering plants welcome other life
When angiosperms diversified 100 million years ago, they opened new niches for ants, plants and frogs.
- Humans
Women have hormonal cues for baby cuteness
Premenopausal women and women taking oral contraceptives are especially sensitive to the cuteness of babies’ faces, partly thanks to raised levels of reproductive hormones, a new study suggests.
- Life
Molecular link between vitamin D deficiency and MS
Scientists have discovered a molecular link that may help explain why Vitamin D deficiency is associated with multiple sclerosis.
