Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Climate
Climate probably stopped Mongols cold in Hungary
Mongol cavalry was no match for cold, wet climate in medieval Hungary, researchers think.
- Psychology
‘Vocal fry’ makes female singers seem expressive
Female singers who use vocal fry, the deep, creaky vocal effect made famous by pop stars like Britney Spears, may sound more expressive to listeners.
- Neuroscience
Alzheimer’s culprit may fight other diseases
A notorious Alzheimer’s villain may help bust microbes.
- Archaeology
Stone circles show Neandertals’ social, technical skills
Ancient human relatives built circular stalagmite structures inside a French cave.
- Life
Women in sports are often underrepresented in science
More and more women are taking up recreational and competitive sports. But when it comes to exercise science, the studies don’t reflect that trend.
- Health & Medicine
Researchers face off over whether newborns are really copycats
Scientists disagree about whether babies can imitate movements and facial expressions shortly after birth.
- Archaeology
Evidence of 5,000-year-old beer recipe found in China
Ancient brewer’s toolkits put barley on tap in China as early as 3400 B.C.
- Life
Scientists find way to break through bad bacteria’s defenses
Enzymes can break down bacterial biofilm’s sugary walls.
- Health & Medicine
CDC tracking 279 U.S. pregnant women with possible Zika infections
The number of U.S. pregnant women with evidence of Zika infection has climbed to nearly 300, and includes both women with and without symptoms.
- Genetics
Risk identified in procedure for ‘three-parent babies’
Resurgent mitochondria could spell trouble for disease therapy.
- Neuroscience
Wiping out gut bacteria impairs brain
Antibiotics that wiped out gut bacteria curbed brain cell production in mice, a new study finds.
- Genetics
Some Stone Age humans ventured back to Africa
DNA from an ancient woman suggests some humans trekked back to Africa.
