Science News

All Stories by Science News

  1. 19651

    In the article, the author states that the observed supernova was “one of only a handful . . . heralded by a burst of gamma rays.” Isn’t that because gamma-ray bursts from core-collapse supernovas are directional, along the axis of rotation? Was GRB 060218 “unique” because it produced a burst of gamma rays or because […]

  2. 19650

    This article remarks on maize starch granules being “consistent with” stone grinding. The presence of lowland arrowroot on one tool is consistent with trade, but it is equally consistent with a wandering hunter grabbing a root in the midlands and bringing it home. James ReichleQuincy, Calif.

  3. 19649

    This article contained a very disturbing comment: “Neurologist Annette Langer-Gould of Stanford University says that even the 1-in-1,000 risk of PML [leukemia] ‘seems to outweigh the benefits’ that natalizumab would provide many patients.” Having a genetic mutation for which there is no treatment or cure and having (and having had) friends with MS, I am […]

  4. Humans

    Letters from the March 4, 2006, issue of Science News

    Impure thoughts Epidemiologist Scott Davis warns, “Melatonin supplements are not regulated” the way drugs are. … “There may be all kinds of impurities and contaminants” (“Bright Lights, Big Cancer: Melatonin-depleted blood spurs tumor growth,” SN: 1/7/06, p. 8). Are you really going to tell me that you aren’t going to take melatonin—if you’re convinced that […]

  5. Humans

    From the February 22, 1936, issue

    Winter snows and densely packed matter.

  6. Humans

    A Lunar Ski Jump

    Olympic aerialist and gold medal winner Eric Bergoust discusses the amazing possibilities of ski jumping on the moon. With audio and video. Go to: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/14feb_bigair.htm?list43643

  7. 19648

    So, researchers studying the effects of the hunger hormone ghrelin have found that hungry mice do better on tests of learning and memory. Four hundred years ago, William Shakespeare had Julius Caesar say, in Act I, Scene II, “Let me have men about me that are fat; Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o’ nights. […]

  8. Humans

    Letters from the February 25, 2006, issue of Science News

    A squirt could hurt The fine piece about invasive sea squirts (“Squirt Alert,” SN: 12/24&31/05, p. 411) states that the critters maintain an unappetizing surface pH of 2. Does this make these mats harmful to touch? Andrew J. DolsonRichmond, Va. Robert Whitlatch of the University of Connecticut, who grows Didemnum in the lab, says it’s […]

  9. 19647

    The real irony of ironies is that evolution has not evolved. When even mainstream evolutionary scientists propose any change to “the fact of evolution,” they are immediately silenced. That’s not science. As it has been practiced by many, including Darwin, evolution is really a religion. As a result, no one should be surprised to find […]

  10. Humans

    Snowboarder and Astronaut

    U.S. snowboarder Hannah Teter won a gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. In a brief video she made for NASA, Teter explains why snowboarders would make good astronauts. Go to: http://brainbites.nasa.gov/snowboarder/

  11. Humans

    From the February 15, 1936, issue

    Rare apes, smallest radio transmitter, and light as electric rings of force.

  12. Humans

    Letters from the February 18, 2006, issue of Science News

    Pain, pain, go away I’m pleased that images are now available to prove that self-control over pain works (“Brain Training Puts Big Hurt on Intense Pain: Volunteers learn to translate imaging data into neural-control tool,” SN: 12/17/05, p. 390). Actually, I and many other moms could have helped the researchers. During childbirth, we simply focused […]