Uncategorized

  1. Earth

    Solving one mystery of polar wander

    Long-term fluctuations in pressure at the ocean's bottom may be the driving force for the Chandler wobble, which causes the North Pole to wander about 20 feet every 14 months or so.

    By Sid Perkins
  2. Earth

    Early web-footed bird made impression

    Researchers have discovered the fossil tracks of an otherwise unknown bird in 110-million-year-old sediments, which pushes back evidence of web-footed birds by at least 25 million years.

    By Sid Perkins
  3. Earth

    Where’s Waldo . . . and 6 billion others?

    Scientists have combined satellite imagery and detailed census data to develop a worldwide database that can provide estimates of the number of people located in areas on a grid that has boxes with areas of 1 square kilometer or less.

    By Sid Perkins

  4. Wasp redesigns web of doomed spider

    A wasp larva injects a spider with a web-altering drug, driving the spider to spin a shelter just right for a wasp cocoon.

    By Susan Milius

  5. Parasite deludes rats into liking cats

    A protozoan that infects rats dims their wariness around cats and can even lead to what Oxford researchers call a fatal attraction.

    By Susan Milius

  6. Banning deer boosts migratory birds

    In a 9-year test, excluding deer raised the population numbers among bird species, such as hooded warblers, that have a high conservation priority.

    By Susan Milius

  7. Hypnotic hues in the brain

    Hypnosis uniquely colors the activity of brain areas involved in visual perception, supporting the view that hypnotized people enter a distinct psychological state rather than only play a role designed to please the hypnotist.

    By Bruce Bower

  8. Babies posture to learn

    Infants make better action-oriented decisions when they adopt a familiar posture, such as sitting upright, instead of an unfamiliar one, such as crawling.

    By Bruce Bower
  9. Math

    Mathematician on Ice

    Adventurous voyages to Antarctica test mathematical models of sea ice.

    By Ivars Peterson
  10. Astronomy

    Big, Bigger . . . Biggest?

    Galaxy map reveals the limits of cosmic structure.

    By Ron Cowen
  11. Health & Medicine

    Body wraps caused rash of rashes

    A CDC investigator has linked an outbreak of skin infections to unsanitary practices at a body wrap salon.

    By Ben Harder
  12. Health & Medicine

    Transfusions and transplants spread West Nile virus

    Donated blood and organs should be screened to prevent transmission of West Nile virus, federal officials say.

    By Ben Harder