Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Astronomy
Science Future for August 2, 2008
August 16–24 Australia celebrates National Science Week. Visit www.scienceweek.info.au September 18 and 19 University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Holtz Center presents “Climate Change is Global.” Visit www.sts.wisc.edu October 8 Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch as part of the final mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Visit www.nasa.gov/missions
- Humans
Science should be prominent in U.S. foreign policy
Excerpted comments from a panel discussion at the World Science Summit that addressed the topic of the role of science in foreign affairs. Among the participants were the esteemed scientists Harold Varmus, David Baltimore and Nina Fedoroff.
- Health & Medicine
Insightful Light
Raman spectroscopy may offer doctors, dentists and forensic scientists a better tool for molecular detection.
- Health & Medicine
Finding the Golden Genes
Advances in gene therapy could tempt some athletes to enhance their genetic makeup, leading some researchers to work on detection methods just in case.
- Ecosystems
Tracing Tahitian vanilla
The discovery of Tahitian vanilla’s heritage could set off a custody battle between nations.
- Agriculture
Dirt Is Not Soil
Probing the distinction in what you call the stuff that mud is made of.
- Climate
Hydrogen economy sustainable in 15 years
Hydrogen fuel cells can eventually replace the combustion engine, but meanwhile a wider range of technologies will be needed to reduce carbon emissions.
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- Health & Medicine
X-ray vision
A new imaging technique could give scientists unprecedented views into cells and other objects at the nanoscale.
- Health & Medicine
Against the grains
People on either a low-carbohydrate or Mediterranean diet fared better over two years than those on a low-fat diet.
- Life
HIV after DARC
A gene variant prevalent in people of African descent increases the risk of HIV infection but also helps slow disease progression.
- Health & Medicine
Asthma oddity
Helicobacter pylori, a common microbe that colonizes the stomach, might protect against asthma.
