Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Humans
Letters from the March 4, 2006, issue of Science News
Impure thoughts Epidemiologist Scott Davis warns, “Melatonin supplements are not regulated” the way drugs are. … “There may be all kinds of impurities and contaminants” (“Bright Lights, Big Cancer: Melatonin-depleted blood spurs tumor growth,” SN: 1/7/06, p. 8). Are you really going to tell me that you aren’t going to take melatonin—if you’re convinced that […]
- Health & Medicine
Prescription Strength Chocolate, Revisited
Studies reported at a recent symposium on chocolate's biological impact are zeroing in on the ingredients that seem to make it good for your heart.
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- Humans
A Lunar Ski Jump
Olympic aerialist and gold medal winner Eric Bergoust discusses the amazing possibilities of ski jumping on the moon. With audio and video. Go to: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/14feb_bigair.htm?list43643
- Health & Medicine
Birth Deterrent: Stress hormone cited in early miscarriages
High levels of a stress hormone in newly pregnant women might make them more likely to have miscarriages.
- Anthropology
Big Woman with a Distant Past: Stone Age gal embodies humanity’s cold shifts
A 260,000-year-old partial skeleton previously found in China represents the largest known female among human ancestors and underscores the ancient origins of large, broad bodies adapted for survival in cold conditions.
- Humans
Letters from the February 25, 2006, issue of Science News
A squirt could hurt The fine piece about invasive sea squirts (“Squirt Alert,” SN: 12/24&31/05, p. 411) states that the critters maintain an unappetizing surface pH of 2. Does this make these mats harmful to touch? Andrew J. DolsonRichmond, Va. Robert Whitlatch of the University of Connecticut, who grows Didemnum in the lab, says it’s […]
- Health & Medicine
Saw palmetto flunks prostate exam
An herbal supplement used by 2.5 million men in the United States has failed to outperform a dummy capsule taken for urinary problems.
- Health & Medicine
Study upgrades protons’ risk to DNA
Proton radiation causes worse breaks in DNA than researchers had expected.
- Humans
Evolution in Action
Debates on the conflict between evolution and intelligent design are taking place not only in the courts but also in state legislatures and even among members of local school boards, where topics include curricula, textbooks, and the definition of science itself.
- Health & Medicine
Fooling the Satiety Meter (with recipe)
New studies in portion control reveal that diluted calories are far more effective at satisfying hunger than energy-dense ones are.
- Humans
Snowboarder and Astronaut
U.S. snowboarder Hannah Teter won a gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. In a brief video she made for NASA, Teter explains why snowboarders would make good astronauts. Go to: http://brainbites.nasa.gov/snowboarder/
