Humans

  1. Health & Medicine

    Surprise! Obesity (and Inactivity) Can Spur Cancers

    Some 60 percent of U.S. adults say they’re worried at the prospect of developing cancer, yet only 6 percent recognize that being overweight is a leading predisposing factor. That’s one finding from a June survey, commissioned by the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C. The survey was unveiled on July 11 at a […]

    By Janet Raloff
  2. Health & Medicine

    Retina Rescue: Adult stem cells form blood vessels in the eye

    Stem cells derived from bone marrow can grow into new blood vessels in the eyes of mice, suggesting a way to treat eye diseases in people.

    By Nathan Seppa
  3. Humans

    Terrorism Repercussions: Scientists consider threats, opportunities after Sept. 11

    A new report from the American Association for the Advancement of Science considers the potential effects on academic research of government policies proposed in response to the terrorism attack of Sept. 11, 2001.

    By John Pickrell
  4. Health & Medicine

    Fat Chance: Cancer drugs may also thwart obesity

    Drugs now undergoing testing as a cancer therapy because they thwart new blood vessel growth may also be a treatment for obesity.

    By John Travis
  5. Health & Medicine

    Viral Survivor

    Epstein-Barr virus, the cause of diseases ranging from mononucleosis to several kinds of cancer, has begun to reveal how it enters human cells and protects itself from the immune system.

    By John Travis
  6. Humans

    From the July 30, 1932, issue

    LAYMAN TAKES GREAT INTEREST IN VIEWING TOTAL ECLIPSE When, on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 31, the shadow of the moon sweeps across eastern Canada and New England at the rate of some 2,000 miles an hour, hiding the sun for a little over a minute and a half, probably millions of people will see […]

    By Science News
  7. Health & Medicine

    For Failing Hearts: Gene therapy stops decline in animals

    Tests in hamsters have raised hopes for creating a gene therapy to stop the common downward spiral of chronic heart failure.

    By Susan Milius
  8. Health & Medicine

    Heart damage tied to immune reaction

    Researchers in Brazil have identified immune proteins that flood the heart tissues of many people with Chagas disease, suggesting a cause of this deadly complication of the parasitic tropical disease.

    By Nathan Seppa
  9. Health & Medicine

    Gene might contribute to asthma risk

    Variations in a gene called ADAM33 may predispose a person to asthma.

    By Nathan Seppa
  10. Health & Medicine

    Hormone therapy falls out of favor

    Several studies now indicate that health risks associated with hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women outweigh its benefits.

    By Nathan Seppa
  11. Archaeology

    Ancient site yields a copper whopper

    Excavations in Jordan revealed the largest known Early Bronze Age metal-production facility, where workers crafted high-quality copper tools and ingots beginning around 4,700 years ago.

    By Bruce Bower
  12. Archaeology

    The Original Cocoa Treat: Chemistry pushes back first use of the drink

    Analysis of residues from ancient Maya vessels has revealed that the pots held cocoa almost 1,000 years before its previously known earliest use.

    By Jessica Gorman