More Stories from the March 9, 2013 issue
- Space
An atom sheds light on neutron stars
By measuring a neutron-rich atom on Earth, astronomers virtually dig into the crust of dead stars.
- Life
Pigeons’ prominent plumage traces to one gene
A mutation responsible for ruffs, crests and collars appears to have arisen once and then passed among species through breeding.
- Oceans
Life found deep below Antarctic ice
Lake buried under 800 meters of ice hosts cells, researchers find.
- Animals
Mole sniffs the world in stereo
Nostrils of the common mole recognize slight differences in smells to steer it toward its food.
- Space
Supernova’s death throes revealed
In archival images, astronomers see giant star’s activity in weeks before supernova.
- Archaeology
A king’s final hours, told by his mortal remains
The skeleton of Richard III reveals a violent and chaotic end for a controversial English monarch.
- Animals
Compared with rodents, bat species carry more viruses
Viruses that can jump from animals to people may find the flying mammals a fine place to lurk.
- Life
Ancestors of today’s placental mammals may never have shared the Earth with dinosaurs
A newly constructed family tree dovetails with the fossil record, but differs considerably from previous genetic studies by suggesting that placental mammals emerged after the dinosaur extinction.
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2013 AAAS meeting
Highlights from the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Boston, February 14-18, 2013.
- Life
Bird, human tweets come from similar parts of the brain
Genetics study finds parallels in birdsong and language.
- Earth
Blood levels of BPA become source of controversy
New data question whether human blood measurements of BPA reflect sample contamination or just exaggerated exposures.
- Tech
Imaging technique offers look inside hearing loss
Two-photon microscopy visualizes hair cells in the inner ear, offering insights into processes leading to deafness.
- Humans
Exploring NASA’s quirky places
Best known for its role in crafting and commanding spacecraft such as Curiosity, JPL is also home to decades’ worth of accumulated oddities.
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SN Online
CULTURE BEAKER Read Rachel Ehrenberg’s column “In Hollywood, buzz beats star power when it comes to predicting box office take.” Y. Ivanenko et al/J. of Neuroscience 2013 MIND & BRAIN See a video showing a test of a baby’s motor control (right) in “Newborn babies walk the walk.” EARTH See video of the meteor that […]
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New age for ancient man
Science Past from the issue of March 9, 1963.
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Thirst: Water and Power in the Ancient World by Steven Mithen
Learn how humans have managed water throughout history and how shortages have driven conflict and social change. Harvard Univ., 2012, 347 p., $25.95
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A Little History of Science by William Bynum
This abridged version of the human search for knowledge covers major discoveries in medicine, astronomy and other fields. Yale Univ., 2012, 263 p., $25
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Near-Earth Objects: Finding Them Before They Find Us by Donald K. Yeomans
The head of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Program Office describes the planet’s risk of being smacked by a comet or asteroid and what can be done to prevent such a fate. Princeton Univ., 2012, 172 p., $24.95
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Fifty Machines That Changed the Course of History by Eric Chaline
Review key inventions of the 19th and 20th centuries, from bicycles to the Underwood typewriter. Firefly, 2012, 224 p., $29.95
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BOOK REVIEW: Fabricated: The New World of 3D Printing by Hod Lipson and Melba Kurman
Review by Rachel Ehrenberg.
- Tech
The 3-D Printing Revolution
Using a technique known as 3-D printing, regular people can now make goods typically produced in huge quantities in factories overseas.
- Humans
A Cancer Patient’s Best Friend
Similarities between tumors in people and dogs mean canine studies can inform human disease.
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Letters to the editor
Scrutinizing baseball’s streaks My family owned the Oakland A’s, formerly the Kansas City Athletics, from 1960 to 1980. During this period, our team won three consecutive World Series (1972 – 74) and five consecutive division titles (1971 – 75). I personally witnessed that one player would be on a streak and his attitude appeared to raise his teammates’ spirits […]
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Upcoming events
Science Future for March 9, 2013.
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The Science of Consequences: How They Affect Genes, Change the Brain, and Impact Our World by Susan M. Schneider
A biopsychologist examines how the brain shapes behavior by learning from the consequences of actions. Prometheus, 2012, 383 p., $21
