Humans

  1. Health & Medicine

    Gestures speak volumes in the brain

    A new brain-imaging study suggests that an understanding of spoken language relies on changing sets of brain networks that exploit acoustic and visual cues.

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  2. Ecosystems

    Exxon Valdez killed future for some killer whales

    An Alaskan oil spill disrupted family structure in killer-whale groups, with lasting and dramatic repercussions.

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  3. Earth

    Exxon Valdez 20 Years Later

    March 24 marked the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The effects are still obvious today. A series of blogs from senior editor Janet Raloff describes the continuing aftermath.

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  4. Health & Medicine

    Male circumcision fends off the most common STDs

    Male circumcision prevents some genital herpes and human papillomavirus infections, a study in Ugandan adolescent boys and men shows.

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  5. Health & Medicine

    Licorice may interfere with certain drugs

    Studies in rats suggest that the active compound in licorice root can promote or hinder the availability of certain drugs.

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  6. Humans

    Otters and oil: Problems remain

    The behavior of Alaska's southern sea otters may unwittingly expose them to toxic oil-spill residues.

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  7. Health & Medicine

    Early anesthesia may hinder kids’ learning

    Young children who get general anesthesia more than once before age 4 may be at increased risk of developing a learning disability later in childhood, a new study finds.

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  8. Chemistry

    Exxon Valdez oil lingers, as does its toxicity

    Even 20 years after a major oil spill, barely degraded pockets of the oil persist within some intertidal beaches, research shows.

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  9. Health & Medicine

    Tired brain defaults differently

    Sleep deprivation may cause the brain to switch to default mode when it should be paying attention.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    Junior moments

    A new study finds that young adults actually had more "senior moments" than did older people.

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  11. Humans

    America’s worst oil disaster still isn’t over

    Impacts of the Exxon Valdez oil spill linger.

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  12. Humans

    Holdren, Lubchenco confirmed for Obama posts

    Another two scientists formally enter the Obama administration.

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