Humans

Health & Medicine

Tattoo rashes linked to ink

Tainted supplies caused outbreak of stubborn bacterial skin infections.

Life

Antibiotics linked to fat buildup

Research in mice implicates changes in gut microbe mix; study in infants finds excess weight gain after use of the drugs.

Humans

Gene may boost effects of peer pressure

DNA trait linked to tendency to be affected by high or low levels of alcohol and cigarette use in high school.

Health & Medicine

Ovulation spurred by newfound semen ingredient

A common growth-boosting protein may act as a pregnancy-protecting hormone in humans.

Chemistry

Supersmall lab-on-a-chip is superfast

Two-chamber nanowire device that quickly finds diagnostic molecules in blood could be a lifesaver.

Psychology

Psychopaths get time off for bad brains

In a survey, judges tended to say they would reduce sentences for criminals defended with biological evidence.

Health & Medicine

Brain’s hidden sewers revealed

Specialized cells host a hitherto unknown cleansing system.

Life

Mantis shrimp flub color vision test

Unexpectedly poor results on crustacean eye exams suggest there’s another way to perceive color.

Earth

Antibacterial agent can weaken muscle

Triclosan impairs the power of the heart and other muscles in two species and at relatively low doses.

Life

Smell deals with deprivation differently

One odor-related brain region called the orbitofrontal cortex keeps the sense primed for resumed input during a cold.

Humans

Good times led to grisly custom

Ancient Chileans developed artificial mummification after an increase in the numbers of living and dead people made naturally preserved bodies hard to ignore.

Tech

Camera hack can spot cleaned-up crimes

Exploiting a standard tool of art conservation can help police find painted-over bloodstains.