Uncategorized
- Materials Science
Busy Little Recyclers: Chemical process, microbial metabolism transform trash-bound plastics
A two-step approach that converts a common plastic into a biodegradable polymer may cut the number of packing peanuts and Styrofoam cups that end up in landfills.
- Physics
Easy Answers: Quantum computer gives results without running
Quantum physics enables a computer to arrive at correct answers without actually running, a new experiment shows.
- Health & Medicine
Birth Deterrent: Stress hormone cited in early miscarriages
High levels of a stress hormone in newly pregnant women might make them more likely to have miscarriages.
- Anthropology
Big Woman with a Distant Past: Stone Age gal embodies humanity’s cold shifts
A 260,000-year-old partial skeleton previously found in China represents the largest known female among human ancestors and underscores the ancient origins of large, broad bodies adapted for survival in cold conditions.
- Earth
Rome at Risk: Seismic shaking could be long and destructive
If a large earthquake struck Rome, ground motions could rock the city for up to a minute, threatening many of the city's ancient landmarks.
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Degrading a Defense: Bacteria use enzyme to escape trap
Some bacteria have evolved an enzyme that enables them to escape the body's defenses.
- Humans
Letters from the February 25, 2006, issue of Science News
A squirt could hurt The fine piece about invasive sea squirts (“Squirt Alert,” SN: 12/24&31/05, p. 411) states that the critters maintain an unappetizing surface pH of 2. Does this make these mats harmful to touch? Andrew J. DolsonRichmond, Va. Robert Whitlatch of the University of Connecticut, who grows Didemnum in the lab, says it’s […]
- Health & Medicine
Saw palmetto flunks prostate exam
An herbal supplement used by 2.5 million men in the United States has failed to outperform a dummy capsule taken for urinary problems.
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Smart shoppers use unconscious tactics
Consumers make better decisions about major purchases if they heed the power of their unconscious minds.
- Astronomy
Tiny planet orbits faraway star
Taking advantage of some gravitational sleight of hand, astronomers have found indirect evidence of the smallest planet known to exist outside the solar system.
- Earth
Species-aid budget looks fishy
State and federal governments spent $1.4 billion in 2004 on conserving endangered and threatened species, with one-third of that sum going to protect fish.
- Health & Medicine
Study upgrades protons’ risk to DNA
Proton radiation causes worse breaks in DNA than researchers had expected.
