Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Artificial Intelligence
Real-world medical questions stump AI chatbots
Subtle shifts in how users described symptoms to AI chatbots led to dramatically different, sometimes dangerous medical advice.
- Health & Medicine
A simple shift in schedule could make cancer immunotherapy work better
A lung cancer trial bolsters a long-held idea that treatment timing matters, showing a simple shift could help immunotherapy work better and extend lives.
- Health & Medicine
This baby sling turns sunlight into treatment for newborn jaundice
A student created a low-cost baby carrier that filters sunlight to safely treat jaundice where electricity and equipment are scarce.
- Health & Medicine
Antibiotics can treat appendicitis for many patients, no surgery needed
After 10 years, just over half the people in a trial of antibiotics for appendicitis have not needed an appendectomy.
- Health & Medicine
Tell Me Where It Hurts sets the record straight on pain — and how to treat it
A new book by pain researcher Rachel Zoffness demystifies how pain is made and how it can be treated.
- Archaeology
AI helps archaeologists solve a Roman gaming mystery
Researchers used AI-driven virtual players to test more than 100 rule sets, matching gameplay to wear patterns on a Roman limestone board.
- Health & Medicine
Daily cups of caffeinated coffee or mugs of tea may lower dementia risk
A long-term observational study found a link between the amount of tea and caffeinated coffee people drank and the risk of dementia.
- Archaeology
The world’s oldest piece of clothing might be an Ice Age–era hide from Oregon
Two pieces of elk hide connected by a twisted-fiber cord are the earliest evidence of sewing. But what they were used for is still a mystery.
- Anthropology
When the fish stop biting, ice fishers follow the crowd
Study showcases how modern-day foragers stick together when seeking food. Such social forces could help explain the emergence of complex thinking.
- Animals
A bonobo’s imaginary tea party suggests apes can play pretend
Apes, like humans, are capable of pretend play, challenging long-held views about how animals think, a new study suggests.
- Health & Medicine
The best way to help Alzheimer’s patients may be to help their caregivers
A mathematical model simulated patient outcomes when given caregiver support or an expensive Alzheimer’s drug to determine cost and health benefits.
- Health & Medicine
Gum disease bacteria can promote cancer growth in mice
In mice, the oral bacteria F. nucleatum can travel to mammary tissue via the bloodstream, where it can damage healthy cells.
