Humans
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
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Health & MedicineCostly Health Care Mistakes
Medical malpractice that many of us won’t recognize as such — or be able to prove — remains too high.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineCalcium’s possible role in Alzheimer’s
A new study in mice finds that plaques associated with Alzheimer’s wreak havoc on calcium’s role in cell signaling.
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EarthEPA Gagged
Federal officials have been told not to talk freely to the press or others who might ask questions EPA doesn't want to answer.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineTo catch a cheat
Drug test cheaters find quick fixes on the Web, but toxicologists aren’t so easily fooled.
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Health & MedicineThis trans fat is vindicated
Featured blog: FDA accords some trans fats a "generally regarded as safe" designation.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineStatins versus dementia
Statins, developed to fight cholesterol, may also prevent some dementia, a study of older Hispanics finds.
By Nathan Seppa -
Health & MedicineA chink in flu’s armor
Finding the shape of a protein that enables the flu virus to replicate points to ways to combat the disease.
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PsychologyCore calculations
Number words may serve as mental tools for expanding on basic, nonverbal numerical knowledge rather than as determinants of such knowledge.
By Bruce Bower -
ChemistryOil magnets
Featured blog: Nanomagnets and wires point to a potentially better mousetrap — or crude trap — for dealing with oil spills.
By Janet Raloff -
HumansToddlers triumphant
In new studies, toddlers display dramatic advances in object recognition that may underlie verbal and symbolic achievements.
By Bruce Bower -
EcosystemsFish Houses
Tanked half-way houses allow people and fish to get acquainted on their own terms — and exhibit their individual personalities.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineProtein links metabolism and circadian rhythms
Scientists have known for ages that metabolism is tied to the body’s daily rhythms. Two new studies suggest how.