Uncategorized

  1. Archaeology

    Spicy finds from before Columbus

    Ancient Americans cultivated and ate chili peppers at least 6,100 years ago, setting the stage for the spicy condiment to spread throughout the world after Columbus' voyages to the New World.

    By Bruce Bower
  2. Earth

    DNA pinpoints poached ivory tusks

    Scientists tracked the origin of an illegal ivory shipment to Zambia by using an improved DNA-analysis technique to study the confiscated tusks.

    By Patrick Barry

  3. 19803

    To discourage poaching, authorities in Zambia should subdue every elephant they can find, sedate it, harvest the ivory themselves, and sell it for revenue for animal-protection programs. That’s better than dead. Buz CraftWills Point, Texas

    By Science News
  4. Planetary Science

    A crack at life

    New images of ancient cracks on Mars suggest that liquid may have percolated through underground rock on the Red Planet, providing a possible habitat for primitive life.