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  1. Physics

    Putting a new spin on silicon

    Embedding ions of manganese in silicon imparts a magnetic field to the otherwise nonmagnetic semiconductor.

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  2. Earth

    Of X rays, viruses, and cooked meat

    The National Toxicology Program updated its list of human carcinogens to include X rays and several viruses and added lead and some compounds formed in overcooked meats to its list of probable human carcinogens.

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  3. Agriculture

    Illegal cigarettes pack toxic punch

    Tobacco used in counterfeit cigarettes is apparently grown using metal-laced fertilizers, making the fake products even more harmful than the real things.

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  4. Astronomy

    Proton storm erupts from the sun

    A storm of high-speed protons, triggered by a Jan. 20 solar eruption, bombarded spacecraft and was the most energetic such squall recorded in 15 years.

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  5. Anxieties stoke bipolar unrest

    Insomnia and other serious sleep difficulties plague many people with bipolar disorder, even after medications have eased their extreme mood swings.

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  6. Humans

    NIH tightens its ethics rules

    The National Institutes of Health issued new ethics rules to keep its employees from engaging in potentially questionable relationships with organizations that might have a financial interest in NIH activities or policies.

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  7. Math

    Life on the Scales

    A mathematical equation helps explain life processes on all biological scales, from molecules to ecosystems.

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  8. 19512

    Your article reminded me that taking a bird’s song and transposing it down four octaves makes it sound like a whale’s song. The opposite is also true. To hear this, go to http://www.mind.net/music/birdwhaleDemo.mp3. Todd BartonAshland, Ore. The article would imply that the only anomaly to the theory that mass equates to longevity is that large-dog […]

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  9. Chemistry

    Chemistry au Naturel

    Chemists aim to mimic natural systems with the hope of developing more-efficient chemical processes that are also less harmful to the environment.

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  10. Math

    Knot Divided in Snow

    The Möbius strip gets embedded in a knotty block of snow.

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  11. Humans

    From the February 2, 1935, issue

    Crystal stalagmites from winter rain, evidence for early inhabitants in Texas, and a new transmission system for electric power.

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  12. Tech

    Nanotech Facts

    The National Nanotechnology Initiative has a Web site devoted to “Nanotech Facts.” It provides an introduction to nanotechnology and a brief description of its many applications and potential societal implications. Go to: http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/home_facts.html

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