Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Humans
Letters from the November 11, 2006, issue of Science News
The Carolinas to New Jersey “Bad-News Beauties: Poison-spined fish from Asia have invaded U.S. waters” (SN: 9/9/06, p. 168) cites evidence of a severe genetic bottleneck, suggesting that perhaps no more than three pregnant females launched the expanding western Atlantic red lionfish population. How can there be “pregnant females” in an animal with the external […]
- Health & Medicine
The Antibiotic Vitamin
Because vitamin D turns on a major germ killer in the body, a deficiency in the nutrient may leave people especially vulnerable to infections.
- Humans
From the October 31, 1936, issue
Ancient Egyptian tombstones, political party preferences, and a new record for starvation.
- Humans
Thinking Math and Science
This site describes itself as the online community for academically talented youth. Developed by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, it provides timely news articles about scientific advances, profiles of researchers, information on summer programs and academic competitions, book reviews, and even a humor section, with items gathered from a wide variety of […]
- Health & Medicine
Abated Breath: Serotonin problems may contribute to SIDS
Babies who die of sudden infant death syndrome show abnormalities in the regulation of the chemical serotonin in their brains.
- Health & Medicine
L’Chaim: Wine compound lengthens mouse lives
A constituent of red wine appears to increase the life spans and boost the well-being of mice that haven't followed the healthiest of lifestyles.
- Health & Medicine
Helping Hands: Brief rehab method aids arm activity after stroke
Stroke survivors who have difficulty using an arm or a hand experience lasting mobility gains after completing an unusual 2-week rehabilitation program.
- Health & Medicine
Insulin can protect diabetic brains
Staying on top of diabetes treatments may prevent some of the brain atrophy and cognitive deficits that typically accompany the disease.
- Health & Medicine
Pain follows cycle
Estrogen fluctuations during a woman's menstrual cycle may change her perception of pain.
- Humans
Ballot Roulette
In the midst of rapid change in voting technology, researchers are finding causes for concern as well as inventing new equipment and schemes to improve the accuracy and integrity of elections.
- Health & Medicine
The Cancer of Dorian Gray
By studying mice that have been engineered to carry mutations in certain tumor-suppressing genes, researchers have identified a link between cancer and aging.
- Humans
Letters from the November 4, 2006, issue of Science News
Twisted logic? I have a question concerning “The Sun’s Halo in 3-D” (SN: 8/19/06, p. 120). It says, “As the sun rotates, its polar regions make a complete circle in about 34 days, compared with the 25 days required by its equator.” I was wondering how it’s possible to have two points on a rotating […]
