Uncategorized

  1. A Very Spatial Brain Defect: Gene disorder blocks neural path for vision

    Among its many unusual symptoms, the genetic disorder called Williams syndrome robs people of depth perception and the ability to visualize how different parts assemble into larger objects.

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  2. Materials Science

    Falling into Place: Atom mist yields nanobricks and mortar

    Researchers have induced tiny particles of nickel to spontaneously assemble into exceptionally uniform, three-dimensional arrays of macroscopic size.

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  3. 19458

    This article may have missed a “magic bullet” that would be effective against many forms of cancer. The researchers concentrate on a drug that blocks a mutated form of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, which may benefit 5 percent of lung cancer patients. Yet the article states that “if normal cell growth runs amok, […]

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  4. Health & Medicine

    An Exploitable Mutation: Defect might make some lung cancers treatable

    Nonsmokers who develop lung cancer are more likely than their smoking counterparts to have a mutation in the gene encoding epidermal growth factor receptor.

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  5. Materials Science

    Model Growth: Simulations expose branching nature of polymer crystals

    Using computer models, scientists have uncovered previously unknown facets of the physics underlying polymer crystal growth.

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  6. Earth

    Cool Harvest: Frost on sea ice may boost atmosphere’s bromine

    Frost flowers, the delicate crystals that sometimes grow atop fresh sea ice, can be a substantial source of ozone-destroying bromine in lower atmosphere near the poles.

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  7. Earth

    No Deep Breathing: Air pollution impedes lung development

    Spending one's childhood in a community with polluted air stalls lung development roughly as much as does having a mother who smokes.

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  8. Humans

    Letters from the September 11, 2004, issue of Science News

    Say what? I don’t think anyone should be surprised that squirrels have figured out how to say “nyah, nyah” to rattlesnakes (“Ultrasound alarms by ground squirrels,” SN: 7/3/04, p. 14: Ultrasound alarms by ground squirrels). After all, it’s what they’ve been saying to cats, dogs, and bird-feeder owning humans for years. R. Kelly WagnerAustin, Texas […]

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  9. Chemistry

    Meteorites may have delivered phosphorus

    Meteorites may have supplied enough phosphorus to prebiotic Earth to spawn the first signs of life.

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  10. Physics

    Gold quantum dots

    Scientists have created a new type of quantum dot that could find applications in everything from biological imaging to computer displays.

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  11. Chemistry

    Molecular machines split water

    Hydrogen derived from molecular machines that use solar energy to split water, rather than hydrogen from fossil fuels, could drive future fuel cell vehicles.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    Juice could ward off cancer in smokers

    Drinking grapefruit juice every day could reduce the risk of developing cancer from smoking.

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