Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Ecosystems
Bubonic plague was a serial visitor in European Middle Ages
Outbreaks of Black Death in medieval Europe may have been triggered by faraway weather patterns and hungry gerbils.
- Science & Society
‘This Idea Must Die’ singles out scientific theories ready for retirement
Researchers and writers weigh in on theories getting in the way of scientific progress in this collection of essays.
- Health & Medicine
Six ways to beat chronic stress
Counseling, mindfulness training and purposeful social contact may counteract the effects of chronic stress.
- Health & Medicine
Chronic stress can wreak havoc on the body
Scientists are shedding light on all the ways that chronic stress can boost inflammation and lead to serious health problems.
- Psychology
Gene variant may foretell success in program for at-risk kids
Disruptive children with DNA twist show biggest turnaround with 10-year intervention.
- Health & Medicine
There’s more than one way to persuade people to vaccinate
Fear, facts and attitude are all strategies for promoting immunization
- Health & Medicine
New HPV shot fends off more types of the virus
A new vaccine that covers more strains of the human papillomavirus protects better against cervical and other cancers.
- Anthropology
Fossil teeth flesh out ancient kids’ varied growth rates
X-ray technique sheds light on hominids’ developmental variety.
- Tech
Facebook detects signs of postpartum depression
An analysis of Facebook activity can identify new moms with postpartum depression.
- Genetics
Ebola virus evolution tracked by genetic data
Analysis of Ebola genomes shows how the virus has evolved and some of the mutations that may thwart treatments.
- Health & Medicine
E-cigarettes may be gateway to addiction for teens
Teenagers are using e-cigarettes more than any other tobacco product and for many, it’s the first time they’ve tried a tobacco product at all.
- Health & Medicine
Stoplights are hot spots for airborne pollution
Drivers get a big chunk of their exposure to pollutants from short stops at traffic intersections.
