Humans

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Archaeology

    People settled Australia’s rugged interior surprisingly early

    Ancient colonists Down Under crossed the continent not long after arriving around 50,000 years ago.

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  2. Genetics

    Protective genetic variant may offer a path to future autoimmune therapies

    A natural tweak in the TYK2 protein strikes a balance between weak and overactive immune systems.

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  3. Genetics

    Genetic variant protects against rash of autoimmune diseases

    A natural tweak in the TYK2 protein strikes a balance between weak and overactive immune systems.

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  4. Health & Medicine

    Riding roller coasters might help dislodge kidney stones

    Researchers took a 3-D printed kidney containing tiny stones and urine for a spin on a roller coaster and found their patients’ stories of kidney stones passing on the ride to have merit.

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  5. Psychology

    Learning curve not so smooth

    Preschoolers tend to reach a milestone of social thinking after months of fits and starts.

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  6. Paleontology

    Picture of primate common ancestor coming into focus

    A new family tree analysis predicts behavior of primate common ancestor.

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  7. Genetics

    Ancient hookups gave chimps a smidge of bonobo DNA

    Genetic evidence suggests bonobos and chimpanzees interbred after becoming separate species.

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  8. Health & Medicine

    Training for parents may lessen some autism symptoms in kids

    Training parents may help with some autism symptoms, a new study suggests.

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  9. Health & Medicine

    Nose cells fix knee cartilage in human trial

    A small clinical trial suggests that using nose cells to patch knee cartilage could be a viable treatment for injuries.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    Nose cells fix knee cartilage

    A small clinical trial suggests that using nose cells to patch knee cartilage could be a viable treatment for injuries.

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  11. Health & Medicine

    Screen time guidelines for kids give parents the controls

    New recommendations for children’s media use are more nuanced than earlier guidelines, a change that reflects the shifting technology landscape.

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  12. Genetics

    DNA data offer evidence of unknown extinct human relative

    Melanesians may carry genetic evidence of a previously unknown extinct human relative.

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