Humans
Sign up for our newsletter
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
In malaria battle, indoor bug spraying has unintended consequence
Years of spraying indoors may inadvertently have push malaria-spreading mosquitoes to venture outdoors for a bite.
By Susan Milius - Life
For cleanest hands, squirt and count to 30
Rubbing hands for 30 seconds is the most effective way to use hand sanitizer, a study of health care workers finds.
By Laura Beil - Life
For tooth decay microbes, many routes lead to kids’ mouths
Mothers aren’t their children’s only source of bacteria that cause dental cavities, new research shows.
By Laura Beil - Archaeology
Lidar maps vast network of Cambodia’s hidden cities
Laser survey unveils the extent, and the mystery, of Southeast Asia’s Khmer Empire
By Bruce Bower - Neuroscience
Cocaine addicts can’t kick other habits either
Habitual users tend to get stuck in nondrug-related habits more easily, too, pointing to a potential strategy for treatment
- Health & Medicine
Mosquito spit can increase dengue severity
By weakening blood vessels, mosquito saliva may make dengue fever more severe in some cases.
-
- Health & Medicine
Stem cells from pig fat aid in growing new bone
Scientists transform fat stem cells into bone and grow new jaws for minipigs.
- Health & Medicine
Zika infection late in pregnancy may be not so risky
An early report out of Colombia finds no microcephaly in babies born to a group of pregnant women infected with Zika virus during the third trimester.
By Meghan Rosen - Life
Vaccines may offer defense against dengue, Zika and chikungunya
Mosquitoes carry several harmful viruses—dengue, Zika, chikungunya. Vaccines may be the best means of defense.
By Laura Beil - Health & Medicine
WHO: Very little risk that Brazil’s Olympics will speed Zika’s spread
Olympics not likely to hasten international spread of Zika virus, according to WHO analysis that includes data from previous mass gatherings.
By Meghan Rosen - Health & Medicine
Moms’ voices get big reactions in kids’ brains
Mothers’ voices get big responses in kids’ brains, a neural reaction that may lead to feelings of calm.