Humans

Humans

Letters from the October 20, 2007, issue of Science News

Well, read Margit L. Bleecker appears to have discovered that those who score highly on reading tests also score highly on tests of memory, attention, and concentration (“How reading may protect the brain,” SN: 8/18/07, p. 110). I don’t find that highly surprising. Ivan MannHoover, Ala. How it happened stance “Alien Pizza, Anyone?” (SN: 8/18/07, […]

Humans

From the October 9, 1937, issue

Aging ships' hulls rejuvenated by welding, public health workers target five major diseases, and Plato celebrated as the first "round-Earther".

Humans

Mice, Magnetism, and Reactions on Solids

The 2007 Nobel prizes in the sciences recognized research in genetics, materials science, and surface chemistry.

Health & Medicine

Moving up the Charts: Drug-resistant bug invades military, civilian hospitals

Acinetobacter baumannii, a common bacterium, is becoming more virulent and drug resistant in hospitals.

Health & Medicine

Antibiotic improves recovery from stroke

An antibiotic called minocycline seems to limit brain damage and disability in stroke patients.

Anthropology

Ancient DNA moves Neandertals eastward

Evidence from mitochondrial DNA indicates that Neandertals lived 2,000 kilometers farther east than previously thought.

Health & Medicine

Diabetes precursor may be checked by omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet might fend off diabetes in children prone to the disease.

Humans

It’s About Time

What’s a year? Why do we measure it in days and weeks? How do calendars differ? What’s the earliest known date? (Hint: It’s the year Egyptians invented the calendar.) Learn answers to these and other timely questions at Calendars from the Sky, a site developed in part with support from the National Institute for Standards […]

Humans

Letters from the October 13, 2007, issue of Science News

Another idea blown . . . Conservation by America is not going to decrease global warming (“Asian Forecast: Hazy, Warmer—Clouds of pollution heat lower atmosphere,” SN: 8/4/07, p. 68). We need to imitate known global-cooling events, such as the Krakatoa volcano explosion, which spread sunlight-reflecting dust into the stratosphere in 1883. A hydrogen bomb exploded […]

Humans

From the October 2, 1937, issue

The mystery and magnificence of volcanoes, how bees dance to tell their hive-mates which flowers to visit, and the year's polio cases begin to decline.

Health & Medicine

Yummy Bugs

Do you enjoy chocolate? You can make it more nutritious by bugging it—with crickets, for example. Or how about ant-fortified tacos? This site introduces Westerners to the idea that many commonly encountered insects are edible. Indeed, most are lower in fat—and higher in protein—than beef, lamb, pork, or chicken. The site’s author argues that “insects […]

Health & Medicine

Diminishing Obesity’s Risks

Mouse data suggest that, properly managed, obesity can be benign.