Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Breast screening tool finds many missed cancers
A relatively new imaging option outperforms all comers in scouting for hidden breast tumors. Indeed, argues radiologist Rachel Brem, her team’s new data indicate that that “almost 10 percent of women with breast cancer have another [tumor] that we wouldn’t know about without this technology.”
- Health & Medicine
Stem cells from blood a ‘huge’ milestone
New technique promises to be easier, cheaper and faster than other harvesting methods.
- Earth
Ivy nanoparticles promise sunblocks and other green products
I’ve developed a love-hate relationship with English ivy that’s been devolving towards hate-hate. But a new paper may temper my antipathy. Apparently this backyard bully also offers a kinder, gentler alternative to the potentially toxic metal-based nanoparticles used in today’s sunscreens.
- Health & Medicine
Controlling blood sugar may prevent eye problems in diabetes patients
Careful monitoring of glucose levels and taking drugs to control blood lipids and cholesterol can pay dividends, a large trial finds.
- Life
Resveratrol shows activity against insulin resistance and retinal disease
A widely touted anti-aging compound shows activity in people and may work in new ways to fight eye disease.
- Computing
Circling the square
The scientist who scanned the first digital image aims to smooth the pixel.
- Archaeology
Serbian site may have hosted first copper makers
Newly identified remnants of copper smelting at a 7,000-year-old Serbian site fuel debate over where and when this practice began.
- Psychology
Social judgments take touching turns
New evidence suggests that the sense of touch influences people’s willingness to drive a hard bargain or endorse a job candidate.
- Health & Medicine
How resveratrol (in grapes, peanuts and wine) fights fat and disease
Resveratrol, a constituent of grapes and certain other plants, can fight the proliferation of fat cells and improve the uptake of sugar from the blood, a pair of new studies indicate. These observations offer some mechanisms to explain why grape products, including wine, have developed a reputation as heart healthy, obesity-fighting and beneficial for people developing diabetes.
- Health & Medicine
Snakes on the brain
In a bizarre experiment, researchers delve into the neural roots of courage.
- Health & Medicine
Stopping platelets at the source
An experimental treatment may prevent harmful clotting and less need for drugs that increase bleeding risk, a study in baboons shows.
- Health & Medicine
Abuse of pharmaceuticals is rising sharply
In 2008, the most recent year for which data are available, an estimated 1 million Americans entered a hospital emergency room for treatment of an overdose due to “nonmedical” use of an over-the-counter or prescription drug. That’s double the number of such visits five years earlier, federal data show.
