More Stories from the January 13, 2001 issue
- Health & Medicine
Do Meat and Dairy Harm Aging Bones?
Two studies have contradictory findings about the impacts of animal protein on bones in elderly people.
- Astronomy
Astronomers find two planetary systems
Each of the newly discovered systems features a star roughly similar to the sun and a bizarre entourage of planets and possibly a failed star that may provide fresh insight into planet formation.
- Materials Science
Soybeans could beef up plywood glues
Researchers have replaced animal protein with soybean protein in experimental plywood glue, potentially reducing cost and health worries.
- Health & Medicine
Protein pair induces nerve repair in mice
Mice genetically engineered to make two proteins normally active in early nerve development are able to regrow damaged nerve fibers somewhat in their central nervous systems.
- Anthropology
Gene, fossil data back diverse human roots
Ancient mitochondrial DNA extracted from Homo sapiens fossils and anatomical links among H. sapiens crania from different regions both support a theory of geographically diverse human origins.
- Earth
Scientists analyze volcanoes’ killing ways
Death patterns from more than 400 volcanic eruptions through history may reveal ways to reduce the number of fatalities from similar causes in the future.
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Film solves mystery of sleepwalking coral
For the first time, bewildered researchers realized that a bootlace-size eunicid worm can move chunks of coral around, perhaps explaining how some coral reefs get started.
- Astronomy
A trio of new planets
With the discovery of three additional planets that lie outside the solar system, astronomers have now found evidence of more than 50 extrasolar planets.
- Astronomy
A Jovian moon lost and found
After 25 years, astronomers have relocated a tiny satellite of Jupiter.
- Health & Medicine
Gene mutation can spur autoimmunity
A mutation of a gene on the X chromosome can lead to a dangerous autoimmune disorder and type I diabetes.
- Health & Medicine
Cocaine link to heart attack bolstered
Regular cocaine use may account for one-fourth of nonfatal heart attacks in people under age 45.
- Chemistry
Where the tire meets the conveyor belt
A new, noninvasive technique could detect an impending failure in a rubber tire or conveyor belt.
- Chemistry
For a better smile, have some wasabi
Chemicals in the Japanese condiment wasabi could help prevent tooth decay.
- Earth
Explorers pinpoint source of the Amazon
A five-nation team of explorers has used Global Positioning System equipment to confirm that the source of the Amazon is a snowmelt-fed stream high in the Peruvian Andes.
- Earth
Amazon basin is wetter now than in past
Sediments from the Atlantic Ocean indicate that the now lush Amazon Basin was much drier during the latest ice age.
- Planetary Science
Stormy Weather
The 11-year cycle of solar storms has begun to peak, already affecting several Earth satellites and disturbing electric power systems on the ground, and scientists expect 2 more years of this solar maximum turmoil.
- Health & Medicine
Mending a Broken Heart
Transplants of skeletal-muscle cells may help heal hearts damaged by illness or previous heart attacks.
