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  1. 19503

    The model for the emergence of a population of “cheaters” out of a population of “cooperators” described in this article gives a fresh viewpoint on existing ecosystems—and much more. Might the evolution of asymmetric modern sex from symmetric DNA exchange (like that practiced by paramecia) have been one special case of this emergence? If so, […]

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  2. Astronomy

    Ultimate Retro: Modern echoes of the early universe

    Two teams of astronomers have for the first time detected the surviving notes of a cosmic symphony created just after the Big Bang, when the universe was a foggy soup of matter and radiation.

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  3. Humans

    Letters from the January 15, 2005, issue of Science News

    Maybe a smoky card game I’m a veterinarian, and, here in west Texas, we see a high occurrence of parvovirus infection in young dogs. It destroys the intestinal villi, allowing gastrointestinal bacteria and their toxins to enter the bloodstream (“Nicotine’s Good Side: Substance curbs sepsis in mice,” SN: 11/6/04, p. 291). I would be very […]

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  4. Health & Medicine

    Antibiotics could save nerves

    Penicillin and its family of related antibiotics may prevent the type of nerve damage that occurs in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other diseases.

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  5. Animals

    Sparrows learn song from pieces

    Young white-crowned sparrows don't have to hear a song straight through in order to learn it; playing the song in mixed-up paired phrases will do.

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  6. Earth

    Really hot water

    Hot-water tanks can accumulate radioactive deposits from naturally occurring radioactive material.

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  7. Earth

    Landscaping stones may pose risks to the environment

    Chemical analyses suggest that planting ornamental rock gardens in some cases may not be doing the environment any favors.

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  8. Earth

    Big quakes can free grounded icebergs

    Data gathered by equipment installed on an immense iceberg off Antarctica suggest that the ground motions spawned by large, distant earthquakes can free such bergs to float again.

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  9. Earth

    Seismic vibes gauge Earth’s crust

    New seismic observations are adding to scientists' knowledge of the thickness of Earth's crust, especially in the Southern Hemisphere.

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  10. 19502

    As an occasional betel nut chewer, I note that this report doesn’t touch on possible positive aspects of the habit. Chewing sapari (coarsely powdered, sweetened, and clove-flavored areca nut) at the end of a meal leads to a sense of satisfaction and well-being, induces salivation, and freshens the mouth. Areca nut also contains lots of […]

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  11. Health & Medicine

    Palm-Nut Problem

    The ancient custom of chewing areca nuts is getting more popular as young Asians take up the habit, but betel-nut chewing has been linked to several types of oral cancer.

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  12. Proteins in the Stretch

    Scientists are for the first time getting a feel for how proteins fold and unfold.

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