Uncategorized
- Earth
This pollutant fights lupus
A hormone-mimicking pollutant that leaches out of some plastics appears to fight lupus.
By Janet Raloff - Health & Medicine
Could refrigeration explain Crohn’s rise?
Crohn's disease, marked by inflammation of the small intestine, could be caused by refrigeration of meats, a process that selects for hardy bacteria that handle cold temperatures well, researchers hypothesize.
By Nathan Seppa - Tech
Electronic skin senses touch
A pressure-detecting membrane laminated onto a sheet of flexible plastic electronics may lead to artificial skin for robots.
By Peter Weiss -
19293
I’m sure the new therapies, including drug therapy, outlined in this article will greatly help many people. I was unhappy, however, to see that the drug D-cycloserine was going to be used to help people overcome their fear of public speaking. I had a great fear of public speaking, but 1 year in the club […]
By Science News -
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19292
I thought that the X and Y chromosomes determined gender in animals, but I see no mention of them in your article. Does this mean that on a genetic basis, males and females in these organisms are identical? Neil H. MurphyWalnut Creek, Calif. In a sense, yes, says Philip Hastings of the Scripps Oceanographic Institute […]
By Science News -
When to Change Sex
A research team contends that animals that routinely change sex, even those prompted by mate loss or other social cues, tend to do so when they reach 72 percent of their maximum size.
By Susan Milius - Math
Splitting Terrorist Cells
How can you tell if enough members of a terrorist cell have been captured or killed so there’s a high probability that the cell can no longer carry out an attack? A mathematical model of terrorist organizations might provide some clues. The question is what sort of mathematical model would work best. In this hypothetical […]
- Health & Medicine
Age-related anemia hastens death
People who develop low concentrations of iron-containing hemoglobin in their blood as they get older are at elevated risk for serious medical problems and early death.
By Ben Harder - Health & Medicine
Thalidomide-like drug treats blood disorder
A novel drug appears to help people with myelodysplasia, a persistent condition that leaves them short of crucial blood components.
By Ben Harder -
19370
The contrast between the first and last sentences of your article is puzzling. The introduction states that the experimental drug “causes minimal side effects.” The piece ends with an observation, “Seven percent of volunteers died” and specifies drug-related complications as the cause. This would hardly qualify as a minimal side effect and should certainly discourage […]
By Science News - Health & Medicine
Novel drug fights leukemia
An experimental drug helps a small but significant fraction of people with acute myeloid leukemia and causes minimal side effects.
By Ben Harder