Chemistry
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Tech
Fishy fat from soy is headed for U.S. dinner tables
Most people have heard about omega-3 fatty acids, the primary constituents of fish oil. Stearidonic acid, one of those omega-3s, is hardly a household term. But it should become one, researchers argued this week at the 2011 Experimental Biology meeting.
By Janet Raloff -
Math
Cells take on traveling salesman problem
With neither minds nor maps- chemical-sensing immune players do well with decades-old mathematical problem, a computer simulation reveals.
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Humans
Record ‘Arctic’ ozone minimum expands beyond Arctic
In mid-March, our online story about the thinning of stratospheric ozone over the Arctic noted that conditions appeared primed for regional ozone losses to post an all-time record. On April 5, World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Michel Jarraud announced that Arctic ozone had indeed suffered an unprecedented thinning. And these air masses are on the move to mid-latitudes.
By Janet Raloff -
Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
A new way to fold a paper bag, plus good apples and designer silk in this week’s news.
By Science News -
Humans
Hidden dalliance revealed by X-rays
A high-tech analysis uncovers a 19th century painter’s do-over.
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Humans
Just breathing in Iraq can be hazardous
Poor air quality is an added danger for troops, testing indicates.
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Chemistry
Japan nuke accident seen from Seattle
Radioactive particles retrieved in the Pacific Northwest offer clues to events inside the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant.
By Devin Powell -
Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Sulfur found in life's possible early building blocks, plus fingerprint clues and frozen blood in this week's news
By Science News -
Chemistry
Silicene: It could be the new graphene
Single-layer sheets of silicon might have electronic applications.
By Devin Powell -
Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Particles found surfing on hot plasma, plus spinning atoms and a new deep-Earth mineral in this week’s news.
By Science News -
Chemistry
A bit of fiber makes for sudsier beer
An understanding of bubbly beginnings points to a new way to foam up slow-pouring stout brews.
By Devin Powell -
Humans
Record ozone thinning looms in Arctic
Depletion could expose the northern midlatitudes to higher-than-normal ultraviolet radiation in coming weeks.
By Janet Raloff