Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Humans
Human ancestors have identity crisis
Fossils heralded as the remains of 4- to 7-million-year-old hominids might actually come from apes.
- Health & Medicine
Brain cells start sending signals early
Fetal neurons show firing patterns similar to those seen in sleeping adults.
- Humans
2012 budget offers pain and gain for R&D
In a year of federal belt-tightening, the administration prioritizes basic research, education, clean energy and environmental science.
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- Health & Medicine
Body & Brain
A controversy about the benefits of extensive breast cancer surgery, plus more in this week’s news.
- Tech
The numbers prove it: This is a data age
An assessment of the world’s computing capacity documents a staggering rise in power and storage since 1986.
- Humans
Lucy’s feet were made for walking
A 3.2-million-year-old toe fossil suggests a humanlike gait for an ancient hominid.
- Health & Medicine
Prenatal surgery may be preferable for spina bifida
Performing an operation preterm shows better results against the neural tube defect than waiting until the baby is born, but there are trade-offs, a new study shows.
- Life
Small part of brain itching for a fight
A cluster of cells compels aggressive behavior in mice.
- Humans
Adaptive no more
A potential benefit in prehistoric lean times, genetic variant may increase risk of gestational diabetes today.
- Health & Medicine
Allergic to cancer
Having an overactive immune system may protect against certain types of brain tumor, a study suggests.
