Humans
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Psychology
On Facebook, you control the slant of the news you choose
Facebook users shield themselves from opposing political ideas more than the site does.
By Bruce Bower - Health & Medicine
Kids who have had measles are at higher risk of fatal infections
Measles infection leaves kids vulnerable to other infectious diseases for much longer than scientists suspected.
By Meghan Rosen - Astronomy
Wandering planets, the smell of rain and more reader feedback
Readers consider how hard it would be to fashion Paleolithic tools, discuss what to call free-floating worlds and more.
- Neuroscience
Children with autism excel at motion detection test
Children with autism outperform children without the disorder on a test that requires averaging the movements of lots of dots.
- Chemistry
Sugar-cleaving molecule raises hope for universal blood
An engineered enzyme can quickly slice and dice some A and B markers from blood cells, bringing researchers closer to creating universal blood.
By Beth Mole - Genetics
Gene therapy for blindness dims a bit
Gene therapy improves vision temporarily but can’t save sight.
- Genetics
DNA disorganization linked to aging
Changes in the way that DNA is tightly packed in cells leads to mayhem that promotes the aging process.
- Health & Medicine
How baby cries bore into mom’s brain
Mouse moms’ brains are sculpted by pups’ pleas for help, which make her into a better mother.
- Psychology
Childhood bullying leads to long-term mental health problems
U.S., British data raise bullying’s profile as a long-term mental health hazard for kids.
By Bruce Bower - Anthropology
Pots from hunter-gatherer site in China tell tale of lifestyle shift
Chinese foragers settled down and made pottery shortly before farming’s ascent.
By Bruce Bower - Anthropology
Ritual cannibalism occurred in England 14,700 years ago
Human bones show signs of ritual cannibalism in England 14,700 years ago.
By Bruce Bower - Psychology
To reduce stress and anxiety, make yourself invisible
We may not be able to make people invisible, but researchers have discerned its effect on the human mind in a new study.