Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Agriculture
How weed killers might protect our eyes: It’s corny
Herbicides can boost trace-nutrient concentrations in sweet corn.
- Chemistry
Brilliant blue for the spine
A study in rats suggests the blue dye similar to that found in popsicles and sports drinks may prevent cell death after spinal cord injury.
- Health & Medicine
Pre-chewed baby food can spread HIV
An age-old cultural practice may offer new dangers in the era of AIDS.
- Life
Allergy meds slim down obese mice
Animal study shows over-the-counter medications lower weight and treat type 2 diabetes. The study is one of four to link type 2 diabetes with the immune system.
- Tech
Electric grid still very vulnerable to electromagnetic weaponry
BLOG: Smart grid advocates weigh in on the vulnerability of the U.S. electrical infrastructure to electromagnetic pulse radiation.
- Humans
Traffic hydrocarbons linked to lower IQs in kids
Prenatal exposures to common air pollutants correlate with a drop in intelligence scores.
- Earth
Pollution vs health reform
Health care reform should include investments in measures that curb the pervasive pollution contributing to costly disability and disease.
- Health & Medicine
Cheap shots — typhoid vaccine shows broad coverage
Vaccine protects against typhoid across age groups and is especially effective in young children.
- Health & Medicine
Chimpanzees die from primate version of HIV
A new study links the simian immunodeficiency virus to serious AIDS-like illness in a wild population.
- Health & Medicine
Early testing for Alzheimer’s
Spinal fluid test in people with mild cognitive impairments can predict in many cases who will develop the disease.
- Health & Medicine
Postmenopausal hormones up cancer risk
Danish researchers weigh in fairly conclusively on the risk of one especially deadly cancer.
- Earth
A hundred new nukes?
Here are some issues to contemplate while deciding whether to welcome the nuclear-power renaissance that Sen. Alexander has just proposed.
