More Stories from the February 10, 2001 issue
- Health & Medicine
One-Two Drug Punch Trips Up Leukemia
A leukemia cell seals its own fate when researchers trap cancer-causing proteins in its nucleus.
- Anthropology
Neandertals and humans each get a grip
A fossil analysis indicates that, by about 100,000 years ago, modern humans in the Middle East had hands suited to holding stone tools by attached handles, whereas Neandertals did not.
- Astronomy
Old stars reveal universe’s minimum age
Using a technique more precise than ever before, an international team of researchers has estimated the age of the universe to be at least 12.5 billion years old.
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Infection divides two wasp species
Two tiny wasp species provide the best evidence yet that infection by Wolbachia bacteria can play a role in forming species.
- Physics
Force from empty space drives a machine
A novel micromachine uses quantum fluctuations of empty space to help drive its motion.
- Health & Medicine
HIV-related viruses still cross species line
Various potentially dangerous strains of simian immunodeficiency virus exist in wild primates in Africa and are still being spread among people who hunt the animals for meat.
- Paleontology
Did ancient superbees squash diversity?
The recent discovery of several dozen extinct bee species in ancient amber deposits has led one paleontologist to propose that the very success of some bees' social lifestyle led to today's dearth of hive-dwelling species.
- Materials Science
Droplets string themselves together
Under the right conditions, mixing two incompatible polymers can produce drops that organize themselves into strings.
- Health & Medicine
It pays to keep those islet cells
A patient who has inflammation of the pancreas and needs to have the organ removed can avoid getting diabetes if islet cells are salvaged from the pancreas and reimplanted into the liver.
- Health & Medicine
Lyme vaccine works in a curious way
Antibodies formed in response to the vaccine against Lyme disease kill the bacteria that cause it while they are still in the deer tick that spreads it.
- Health & Medicine
Teeth grinding linked to sleep apnea
Rhythmic grinding of teeth during sleep occurs at least once a week in as many as 8.2 percent of people.
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Cloned gaur born healthy, then dies
The first cloned gaur, a rare, Asian oxlike creature, died when only a few days old but proved the technique worked.
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Genetic search for an equine Eve fails
Genetic analysis suggests an unusual history for modern horses: lots of independent domestications instead of the usual few.
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Inbred cattle don’t look bad at all
A herd of feral cattle that hasn't had new blood for at least 300 years seems to have avoided the genetic risks of inbreeding.
- Earth
Lack of oxygen locks up peat’s carbon
The inactivity of a single enzyme in peat due to the lack of oxygen may be the only thing preventing massive releases of carbon dioxide from the peatlands.
- Earth
Siberian snow has long-range effects
The strength of the winter weather feature called the Siberian high is linked to the amount of early-season snow cover in its namesake region.
- Tech
Hop . . . Hop . . . Hopbots!
Two prototype jumping robots that hop, crash-and-land, and then hop again are demonstrating a novel mobility concept that may finally enable small, cheap robots to roam widely over rough terrain.
- Health & Medicine
Statins Take On the Brain
Cholesterol-lowering drugs may also treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease.
