Uncategorized
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19709
I was surprised to see in Science News, conclusions about causation made on the basis of correlational research. The variance in activity levels may have been a consequence of differing levels of energy among the participants at the outset of the study, perhaps due to differences in general health. We should be careful about this […]
- Anthropology
Little Ancestor, Big Debate: Tiny islanders’ identity sparks dispute
New measurements bolster the 2-year-old claim that fossils of a half-size human ancestor found on an Indonesian island represent a new species.
- Tech
Farm-Fuel Feedback: Soybeans have advantages over corn
A new analysis of two biofuels finds that while both provide more energy than they consume, soybean biodiesel gives more bang for the buck than ethanol made from corn.
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19708
On this article, real cats do this too. I have observed many adult cats teaching kittens (not necessarily theirs) to hunt. People who receive “presents” from their cats are not being gifted. The cats are trying to teach them how to hunt, but the cats probably think we are pretty dumb. Emily JohnstonWestminster, Md.
- Animals
Live Prey for Dummies: Meerkats coach pups on hunting
Meerkats easing their pups into the job of handling live prey are among the few animal species shown so far to be natural teachers. With audio.
- Astronomy
Explosive Aftermath: Sluggish neutron star puzzles astronomers
An X-ray–emitting object at the heart of a young supernova remnant doesn't fit the textbook view of what a stellar explosion is supposed to leave behind.
- Humans
Close Your Books: Cuts, shutdowns loom for EPA libraries
Some regional libraries maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency will permanently shut their doors because of a proposed cut to their funding.
- Health & Medicine
In utero factors shape responses to stress, sugar
Abnormal conditions during pregnancy can lead in unexpected ways to physiological problems in children once they reach adulthood.
- Health & Medicine
Thyroid-hormone mimic lowers LDL
A compound in a new class of potential anti-cholesterol drugs has passed an early test in people.
- Anthropology
Did small hominids have a genetic defect?
Miniature humans whose prehistoric remains were recently unearthed on an Indonesian island may have had a genetic disease known as Laron syndrome.
- Health & Medicine
Growth hormone’s risks outweigh its benefits
Human growth hormone has substantial risks and no functional benefits for healthy, elderly people.
- Humans
Letters from the July 15, 2006, issue of Science News
People want to know “Sharing the Health: Cells from unusual mice make others cancerfree” (SN: 5/13/06, p. 292) reported that years ago it was discovered that certain male mice eradicate cancer cells and that white blood cells from these mice make normal mice cancer resistant. It also reported that it is superpremature to look forward […]
