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The world's most exciting science news, long before it's in the papers

Last updated on  November 4th, 2009

Poop evidence exonerates humans in mammoth mystery: Click here
Giant mammals died out before any well-known human populations showed up in the area, a study suggests.

Our oceans, extraterrestrial material?: Click here
A conventional view that the atmosphere and oceans came from vapors emitted during volcanism may be wrong, a a study says.

From chimps, new clues to language origins: Click here
Chimps seem to use the left half of the brain to communicate with gestures -- just as humans do to talk, researchers have found.

Lunar water "confirmed": Click here
Preliminary data from NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite shows the moon really does have water, scientists say.

Stars' chemistry could give away planetary presence: Click here
Researchers say the finding not only could save money and time in planetary searches, it also points to a solution to a longstanding riddle.

How could they? Poop-eating apes prompt quest for answers: Click here
Nature can be beautiful. Elegant. Graceful. But not always.

Ants could inspire military strategies: Click here
A researcher has designed a system that uses ant colonies' behavior to help plan troop movements on battlefields.

Language learning may start in womb: Click here
From their first days, babies cry differently depending on the language of their parents, according to a new study.

It's not an earthquake -- it's an aftershock from long ago: Click here
Some "earthquakes" that occur in unusual locations may really be aftershocks of quakes centuries ago, a new report suggests.

Drunken flies could pave way for alcoholism cure: Click here
Intoxicated insects have helped scientists find networks of genes -- also present in humans -- implicated alcohol drinking.

Inequality, "silver spoon" effect found in ancient societies: Click here
Inequality caused by handed-down wealth was well established long ago, a study has found.

Technology could cool the laptop: Click here
"Spin" electronics may keep devices from overheating and give information technology a unique twist.

Light from a cosmic "dark age": Click here
Astronomers are reporting the discovery of the most distant object ever discovered, from a time when the first stars were forming.

Being tortured may make people seem guilty: Click here
Some witnesses to torture see the victims as more guilty the more they suffer, a study suggests.

No joke: new hope for painful "four-hour erection": Click here
Hours-long erections may seem like a rich source of jests, but to victims, the pain -- and possible resulting impotence -- is not amusing.

"Superspreader" workers may trigger hospital outbreaks: Click here
Certain types of health-care workers may play a disproportionate role in spreading germs, a theoretical study suggests.

Near-black hole conditions recreated, study says: Click here
Lasers can be used to generate extreme states of matter.

Scientists find out how moon makes own water: report: Click here
The moon absorbs particles from the Sun, which in turn combine with oxygen in the dust to make water, researchers say.

New space map reveals "mystery ribbon": Click here
Findings don't fit with accepted models of the "solar wind" that helps shield our solar system.

Scientists report giving flies false memories: Click here
How do you get intelligence from parts that are unintelligent? A group of researchers is exploring that.

Giving among strangers more nurture than nature, study suggests: Click here
New research addresses the thorny issue of how altruism might have evolved.

"Loyal" gators said to display bird-like mating habits: Click here
Findings may help shed light on the ancestral mating systems of birds and of many dinosaurs.

Distant moon may have oxygen in ocean: Click here
The abundant water in Jupiter's moon Europa may have enough oxygen to support even animal-like life forms, a study suggests.

Could birth control pills alter mate choices?: Click here
Birth control pills may alter women's abilities to choose, compete for and retain mates, scientists say.

Huge "hidden" Saturn ring found: Click here
Astronomers are reporting the discovery of largest-known planetary ring in the Solar System.

Coin hoards may reveal population histories: Click here
Buried cash can help reveal the population history of a given time period, a new study suggests.

Color plays "musical chairs" in brain: Click here
A color divorced from the shape to which it "belongs" seems to go into another one, scientists have found.

Pre-"Lucy" fossils reveal secrets: Click here
The last common ancestor of chimps and humans was probably not as chimp-like as widely believed, researchers report.

Hyenas cooperate better than chimps, study finds: Click here
The much-maligned, dog-like creatures may beat out our ape relatives in cooperative problem-solving tests.

Rough day at work? You might not feel like exercising: Click here
If you use your willpower to do one task, it may deplete your willpower for a totally different task, scientists say.

Key to subliminal messaging: keep it negative, study suggests: Click here
Subliminal messaging is most effective when the message being conveyed is negative, according to new research.

Lower IQ's measured in spanked children: Click here
Only part of the effect is due to spanking itself, but still, laws should be passed against spanking, some researchers say.

Moon may have water: Click here
Our moon is potentially not quite as dry as it is traditionally thought to be, researchers say.

Exotic life forms: looking for life as we don't know it: Click here
A new research group is devoted to finding out how life might evolve using chemicals not found in Earth-based life forms.

Study: torture produces unreliable information: Click here
Extreme stress appears to warp memories while motivating suspects to say anything to stop the torture, an analysis concludes.

Tiny "T. rex" found: Click here
An ancestor of the giant predator resembles a miniature replica of it, at 1/90 the weight, scientists say.

Negative public opinion seen as warning signal for terrorism: Click here
Terrorism is more likely when one country's people dislike the leaders and policies of another, a study has found.

Mold-treated violin beats Strad in blind test: Click here
A newly developed type of violin won in a blind contest against one made by the most famed violin maker of history.

Showerheads may spray germs at you: Click here
Your morning scrubdown may give you more than you bargained for.

Brain activity may predict schizophrenia: Click here
A small area of the brain is linked to the earliest stages of a serious mental illness, researchers say.

Graffiti "shield" may offer hope for paint-threatened landmarks: Click here
Graffiti mars many historic monuments, and can be hard to erase without damaging the underlying surface. But help may be coming.

Memories may persist even when forgotten: Click here
Scientists have found that a person's brain activity while remembering an event is similar to when it was first experienced, even if specifics can't be recalled.

Cities work much like brains, study finds: Click here
Highway interconnections in cities are organized and evolve much like brain connections, research suggests.

Oldest known black hole reported found: Click here
New research could shed light on the origins of the most massive black holes.

Artificial steps against global warming may be dangerous, necessary: Click here
Humanity is boxing itself into a corner when it comes to climate change, scientists say.

Tiny "nanolaser" could change face of computing, telecom: Click here
Researchers say they have created a device that can generate visible light in a space smaller than a protein molecule.

Brain region linked to sense of personal space: Click here
A new finding may shed light on the brain mechanisms involved in social behavior.

Signs of recent Ice Age noted on Mars: Click here
The distribution of ground ice hints at a colder time in the Red Planet's past, researchers claim.

Last great forest under threat, study finds: Click here
Scientists are calling for urgent preservation of the boreal forest across large stretches of Russia, Canada and other northern countries.

For freeloader birds, careful counting comes in handy: Click here
Some birds that freeload on other birds by dumping their offspring on them, may employ sophisticated counting skills to carry out the ruse.

Unguided, we really do go in circles, study finds: Click here
The popular wisdom about lost travelers is correct, research indicates.

Technique reveals buried paintings in new way: Click here
A new X-ray method shows never-seen details of a painting hidden under another painting by illustrator N.C. Wyeth, researchers report.

Building block of life reported found in comet: Click here
The finding supports a claim that ingredients for life might have come from space, according to NASA scientists.

Small "epidemic" may have killed Mozart: Click here
A minor bacterial epidemic spread from a military hospital may have felled the great composer, scientists say.

"Dance restaurant" theory of water takes shape: Click here
New studies suggest the molecular structure of water can be compared to a crowded restaurant with a dance floor.

Cancer stem cells not drug-immune, researchers find: Click here
Scientists say they have found the first chemical that selectively kills cells that spawn deadly tumors.

Crash destroyed little planet, scientists say: Click here
A NASA telescope is thought to have found evidence of a violent collision between two planets around a young star.

Chicken-hearted tyrants? Dinos may have sought easy prey: Click here
Huge, meat-eating dinosaurs like T. rex seem to have preferred picking on youngsters, researchers say.

Tiny deer, gliding frog among 100s of newfound species: Click here
A biological treasure trove threatened by climate change, the eastern Himalayas are still giving up secrets.

Scientists report growing new teeth for mice, in place: Click here
The technique may be a step toward more advanced organ replacement therapies, researchers propose.

Sharpest views of a colossal, violent, star: Click here
Astronomers have captured the sharpest views yet of the doomed "supergiant" star Betelgeuse.

"Dream therapy" set for a comeback?: Click here
Similarities in brain activity between a special dreaming state and some forms of mental derangement are drawing interest from researchers.

Reflection is key to jewel beetle colors, scientists say: Click here
New studies could lead to applications including car paints that reflect different colors from different angles.

A new way to fix a broken heart?: Click here
Scientists have reportedly devised a method to to coax mature heart muscle cells into regenerating.

Astronomers: impact gives Jupiter bruise as wide as Pacific: Click here
Something apparently slammed into the giant planet in the last few days, scientists say.

Origin of raindrop size "revealed": Click here
The sizes of raindrops result from the breakup of larger droplets, new high-speed films indicate.

Fossil poop balls reveal secrets of lost world: Click here
A study has revealed an intricate network of long-ago interactions in "mega-dung" from giant mammals.

Ocean current changes predicted to be gradual: Click here
Scientists have released a rare bit of hopeful news linked to global warming.

Cats are crafty manipulators, study finds: Click here
Anyone who has had cats knows how hard it can be to get them to do anything they don't want to do.

%#$!? Swearing may actually reduce pain: Click here
Unleashing ver­bal bombs may show poor self-control, but it sure seems to help peo­ple tol­er­ate pain bet­ter, sci­ent­ists have found.

Monkeys live longer after eating less, research finds: Click here
Cutting calories by 30 percent seems to have remarkable effects, scientists say.

A "theory of everything" is said to solve its first real-world problem: Click here
String theory, which postulates extra dimensions, has long been criticized for making promises that it failed to live up to.

Could coffee reverse Alzheimer's?: Click here
Studies with mice are suggesting surprising new possibilities for treating the memory disorder, according to researchers.

People only sometimes seek out opposing views, research finds: Click here
People tend to avoid ideas they disagree with -- but some factors can prompt them to seek out such points of view, scientists say.

Finding may help explain giant black holes: Click here
Astronomers are reporting that they have discovered a new class of black hole, the mid-sized one.

Scientists look to bat caves for "fountains of youth": Click here
Scientists are batty over a finding they say could lead to a breakthrough -- significantly longer lifespans.

Scientists report capturing first image of memories being made: Click here
Researchers say they have captured the first image of a mechanism underlying long-term memory formation.

Flute said to be oldest handcrafted musical instrument: Click here
Early modern humans may have been dancing to bird-bone flutes as early as 35,000 years ago, scientists say.

Oceans in Enceladus? Scientists can't decide: Click here
Two contrasting findings are leaving researchers unsure whether a distant moon has underground oceans.

Need something? Talk to my right ear!: Click here
Most of us prefer to be addressed in our right ear, and are more likely grant a request when we hear it from the right, researchers have found.

Study turns pigeons into "art critics": Click here
A Japanese researcher is reporting that he has trained birds to tell apart "good" and "bad" children's paintings.

Researchers find "a touch of glass" in metal: Click here
Metals and ceramics have more in common with glass than has been previously recognized, a new study indicates.

Brain energy use proposed as key to understanding consciousness: Click here
Some researchers are proposing a new way to understand a mysterious state of being.

"Guilty look" in dogs mostly owners' fantasy, study finds: Click here
People may see "guilt" in a dog's body language when they think the dog did something wrong – even if it didn't.

Lion tamers step aside: beasts could be tamed through genes: Click here
Recent research raises the prospect that humans could tame "untameable" species in new ways.

Birds didn't come from dinosaurs, study suggests: Click here
New findings about bird breathing abilities challenge entrenched ideas, some scientists say.

Giant black holes even heavier than thought: study: Click here
New findings may affect the way astronomers theorize about galactic evolution.

Do sex cells hold the secret to long life?: Click here
The secret of longevity may lurk within the genetic activity of sperm and eggs, new research suggests.

"Warrior gene" found rife among young thugs: Click here
Boys with a particular variant of a gene are more likely to join gangs -- and to be among their most violent members, researchers say.

Sandcastle secrets could help revive ancient building technique: Click here
The secret of a successful sandcastle could aid the revival of an ancient, eco-friendly building method, according to some engineers.

When evolution isn't so slow and gradual: Click here
Guppies introduced into new habitats developed new and advantageous traits in just a few years, a study has found.

Ocean acidification to trigger job losses, scientists warn: Click here
Ocean acidification, a consequence of human activity, is set to change marine ecosystems forever, researchers say.

No enforcement, no trade -- not for chimps: Click here
Scientists have managed to teach chimps to trade a primitive "currency," but the creatures never really ran with the idea.

"Language gene" alters mouse squeaks: Click here
Mice carrying a "humanized" gene can't talk, but might tell us something about our evolutionary past.

Technique would detect watery worlds: Click here
An Earth-like planet would appear in telescopes as little more than a "pale blue dot." What could we make of it?

Green tea extract reported to show promise against leukemia: Click here
Scientists are reporting positive results in early clinical trials using a substance in green tea.

"Swine Flu" was circulating undetected, scientists say: Click here
All segments of the virus originated in avian hosts and began circulating in pigs at various times in the 1900s, according to investigators.

Earliest cells might have thrived amid asteroid pummeling: Click here
The so-called Late Heavy Bombardment wasn't necessarily the end of the world for ancient microbes, scientists say.

"Missing link" ancestor reported found: Click here
A 47-million-year-old fossil connects humans, apes and monkeys to other mammals, researchers announced.

Monkeys found to wonder what might have been: Click here
Recordings of brain cells show that monkeys take note of missed opportunities and learn from their mistakes, scientists say.

Race is on to preserve "oldest submerged town": Click here
An ancient site associated with a legendary Greek "age of heroes" may be about to give up its secrets.

Study links daydreaming to problem-solving: Click here
Our brains are much more active when we daydream than previously thought, a study has found.

Warriors don't always get the girl: Click here
Violence isn't the ticket to having more wives and children among all tribal peoples, scientists say.

Acupuncture found to beat "usual" care for back pain: Click here
A study is reviving questions for some about how the traditional Chinese treatment might really work.

Memories stolen by Alzheimer's may be retrievable: study: Click here
Scientists have found a gene said to have enabled mice with an Alzheimer's disease-like condition to recover lost memories.

Expedition to bursting, undersea volcano yields marvels: Click here
The mountain supports unique creatures thriving despite constant eruptions, scientists say.

Tiny "invisibility cloak" is like a magic carpet: Click here
Researchers have created a "carpet cloak" that conceals objects under it from detection using light near the human-visible part of the spectrum.

"Rogue" black holes out there, but fear not: astronomers: Click here
It sounds like a sci-fi movie plot: rogue black holes roaming our galaxy, threatening to swallow anything that gets too close.

Detection of "furthest object" could pave way for probing early cosmos: Click here
An explosion detected last Thursday marks the most distant, longest-ago event and object known, astronomers say.

A seat of wisdom in the brain?: Click here
Two scientists have compiled what they say is the first scholarly review of the basis in the brain of wisdom.

A warm TV may drive away feelings of loneliness, rejection: Click here
For those feeling unloved, illusionary relationships with TV characters sometimes helps fill the gap, researchers say.

"Complex" organic molecules detected in space: Click here
Computer models also suggest larger molecules may be out there, including amino acids, essential for life as we know it.

Study: personalized drugs may lengthen cancer survival: Click here
Researchers used a company's "genetic profiles" of individual patients to create custom treatments.

Keeping slim is good for the planet, say scientists: Click here
A study finds that maintaining a healthy body weight is good news for the environment.

Physicists see the cosmos in a coffee cup: Click here
A professor and a graduate student say they have found a new "universal principle."

Bright feathers found to get color from foamy structure: Click here
Some of nature's brightest colors come from tiny structures with a structure similar to beer foam or a sponge, according to researchers.

Aerosols may drive much Arctic warming, scientists find: Click here
New NASA research suggests around half the atmospheric warming measured in the Arctic is due to particles called aerosols.

Researchers wanted: humans need not apply?: Click here
Scientists are creating automated systems that can generate new hypotheses and approaches to research.

Straw bale house survives quake tests: Click here
An earthquake simulation with a force reported as 82 tons couldn't take down a straw home designed by civil engineer Darcey Donovan.

Bird can "read" our gaze: Click here
A bird whose eyes look rather like human eyes pays good attention to where our glances fall, researchers say.

It's not just chemical -- it's the same chemicals, study suggests: Click here
Much the same cocktail of substances may flow in both men and women as a result of their mutual attraction.

Vindictiveness doesn't pay, study finds: Click here
A study of Germans found that people inclined to deal with inequity on a tit-for-tat basis tend to suffer higher unemployment.

Crabs suffer, remember pain, study finds: Click here
Research is calling into question the view that when small animals recoil from unpleasantness, it's only a reflex.

Astronomers catch a "shooting star": Click here
Asteroid 2008 TC3 has a humdrum name but an unusual distinction.

Brain cell type found to differ between man and mouse: Click here
An often overlooked cell embodies one of the very few basic differences that set apart the human brain, scientists propose.

Multiple out-of-Africa migrations seen for early humans: Click here
Fossils suggest early, anatomically "modern" humans may have split into many isolated groups before leaving Africa, scientists say.

Language of music may really be universal: Click here
Africans who have never listened to radio can pick up on emotions in Western music, according to a new report.

Brain lives at "edge of chaos": Click here
Scientists are offering new evidence that our brains function at a critical point between randomness and order.

Tiny space engine to push back against sunshine: Click here
Researchers are preparing to test what they call the smallest, most precisely controllable engine built for space.

Gruesome group death of young dinos analyzed: Click here
A muddy lakeside some 90 million years ago drew a herd of young, birdlike dinosaurs to a terrifying end, say paleontologists.

"Mind-reading" experiment highlights how brain records memories: Click here
New research adds to mounting evidence that it's possible to "read" memories by looking at brain activity.

Technology seen slashing battery recharge time, weight: Click here
Engineers say they've found a way to move energy faster through a well-known battery material.

Rock-hurling zoo chimp stocked ammo in advance: study: Click here
Researchers have found what they say is some of the first clear evidence that a non-human animal can spontaneously plan ahead.

Faith found to reduce errors in psychological test: Click here
Distinct brain activity patterns in believers may dovetail with performance differences, scientists said.

Warning: warning labels may enhance lure of raunchy video games: Click here
A study claims to have confirmed what many suspected.

Martian mountain may answer big question: Click here
One Martian volcano is about three times Mount Everest's height. But it's the small details that two geologists are looking at.

Odd, bouncing fish with lollipop face dubbed new species: Click here
"Psychedelica" seemed the perfect moniker, to a scientist who named this creature.

Doodling gets its due: tiny artworks may help recall: Click here
Drawing while listening doesn't necessarily imply a wandering mind, a study suggests.

From oral to moral? Dirty deeds may prompt "bad taste" reaction: Click here
Moral disgust may be an outgrowth of older forms of revulsion, psychologists propose.

People walked like us 1.5 million years ago, study finds: Click here
Newfound footprints are the oldest evidence of humans walking on anatomically modern feet, scientists report.

Missing asteroids explained?: Click here
Scientists have reported a case of missing asteroids -- and a possible explanation.

Black hole "baldness" reflected in ordinary objects: physicist: Click here
A mysterious number remains fixed during a small object's wild orbit about a spinning black hole, theorists say.

Richest biological zones found to suffer most wars: Click here
More than four in five wars in recent times arose in areas identified as the most biologically diverse, a study indicates.

"Green Comet" visits neighborhood: Click here
A rodent may be doing its own small part to provide a renewable electricity source.

Collective rituals spur support for suicide attacks: researchers: Click here
A new study proposes that acts of war by self-destruction are part of a larger psychological phenomenon.

Running hamsters, tapping fingers tapped for energy: Click here
A rodent may be doing its own small part to provide a renewable electricity source.

Cosmologists aim to reveal first moments of time: Click here
Scientists want to test whether random, microscopic fluctuations in the fabric of space and time spawned the universe.

HIV gene therapy trial results seen as positive: Click here
A new treatment appeared to safely boost the number of immune system cells normally attacked by HIV, according to researchers.

Researchers cracking code of the common cold: Click here
Scientists say they have put together the pieces of the genetic codes for all known strains of the virus behind the common cold.

In early humans, "jaws of steel": Click here
Nut-cracking abilities in our distant ancestors let them adapt to changing circumstances, a study suggests.

"Longevity gene" may boost lifespan: Click here
A variation in a gene called FOXO3A seems to increase human life expectancy in populations worldwide, scientists report.

"Birthplace" of Zeus found?: Click here
Mounting evidence supports a legend linking the king of Greek gods to Mt. Lykaion in Greece, archaeologists report.

Wolf in dog's clothing? Study points to twist in fur color: Click here
Although dogs descend from wolves, dogs may have passed a helpful genetic mutation back to some wolves.

Stem cell recipe gets even simpler: Click here
One chemical can convert cells from adult mice into the powerful embryonic-like stem cells needed in medicine, biologists report.

Fossil snake said to break length record: Click here
An ancient South American snake that might make today's anacondas seem almost cuddly is renewing discussion of why giant species evolve.

Like Earth, if you overlook the lava everywhere?: Click here
A European satellite has revealed a planet only twice as large as Earth orbiting a distant star, astronomers say.

Insulin may help treat Alzheimer's: Click here
Scientists are reporting that a substance commonly used to treat diabetes, may also protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Chemical found to trigger locust swarming: Click here
A common brain chemical in humans also sparks the Jekyll-and-Hyde transformation of desert locusts, scientists report.

When a stone lands in water: Click here
Physicists are clarifying how one of nature's most beautiful spectacles unfolds: the dance of a watery surface hit by a falling stone.

Ill-fated ice man may have suffered two attacks: Click here
Scientists say they've revealed a new chapter in a murder case some 5,300 years old.

"Alarming" bone deterioration after long space flights: Click here
Months spent in space may raise astronauts' risk for fractures later in life, a study suggests.

Mightier sperm in "cuckolded" species: Click here
Where infidelity prevails, sperm evolve to be faster and bigger to cope with the competition, researchers claim.

Schizophrenia reassessed as fixation on self: Click here
The mental illness may overactivate a brain system involved in self-reflection, scientists say.

Makings of a deadly brown cloud: Click here
Burning wood and dung for home use is mainly responsible for a haze over south Asia, researchers report.

Micro-motors would fit to swim human arteries: Click here
Many complex surgeries for stroke, hardened arteries or blood vessel blockages are about to become safer, scientists say.

"Cannibalism" creates huge stars: Click here
Oddly bloated stars known as blue stragglers grow by feasting on companions, astronomers claim.

Evidence of ancient chemical warfare reported: Click here
A poison-gas assault on Roman soldiers may be the oldest archaeological evidence for chemical warfare, a researcher says.

Enforcer of conformity: our own brains: Click here
Although a grammatically challenged advertisement exhorts us to “think different,” group opinion affects us powerfully.

How "puppydog eyes" do their trick: Click here
A so-called trust hormone may promote bonding between members of different species, as well as within a species, researchers say.

Through DNA, breathing new life into museum pieces: Click here
From marsupials to manuscripts, researchers are dusting off old specimens to learn their secrets using genetics.

Climate-induced food crisis seen by 2100: Click here
Barring drastic action, global warming could cripple agriculture in hotter areas, a study predicts.

Black holes came first, astronomers conclude: Click here
Scientists may have solved a cosmic chicken-and-egg problem.

Our galaxy no longer "little sister": Click here
Fasten your seat belts: our galaxy spins faster, weighs more, and is more likely to collide than we thought, researchers claim.

Materials for "Earths" may be common in universe: Click here
New findings add to evidence that rocky planets are a normal occurrence, astronomers say.

Using light beams to grab molecules: Click here
Researchers say they've created a trap that can capture DNA molecules and other tiny objects.

Competition, not climate, killed Neanderthals: study: Click here
The stocky breed of early humans couldn't hold its own against more modern populations, scientists claim.

Life grew in two, millionfold leaps, researchers say: Click here
Earth's creatures come in all sizes, yet scientists believe they all descend from the same single-celled organisms.

Ancient African exodus mostly involved men: geneticists: Click here
An ancient migration out of Africa is thought to have led to most human populations outside the continent.

Still today, most will torture if ordered: study: Click here
Scientists say they have replicated an experiment in which people would obediently give painful shocks to others when prompted.

Odd bird fathering styles may come from dinos: Click here
Males in some flightless bird species are devoted fathers -- and polygamists.

Is global warming preventing an Ice Age?: Click here
While human-caused effects are potentially leading Earth to disaster, they may also be preventing a cold spell, some researchers say.

At least 8 genes tied to obesity, all in brain: Click here
Variants of at least eight genes contribute to determining body weight, scientists have found.

God, science no easy mix for many: Click here
In many or most people's minds, religion and science conflict fundamentally, a study suggests.

Wobbly planets could reveal Earth-like moons: Click here
Moons outside our Solar System capable of supporting life may have just become easier to find.

Distant moons may have liquid oceans: Click here
Tidal motions may generate enough heat to maintain liquid oceans within the outer planets' icy moons, a scientist says.

Chemistry of other stars' planets coming to light: Click here
Astronomers have identified carbon dioxide around a planet outside our solar system.

Brain drugs for healthy people OK: scientists: Click here
Healthy people should be allowed to take brainpower-boosting drugs, if the risks are properly managed, some researchers say.

Poverty may reduce kids' brain function: Click here
Scientists are calling new findings an alarming "wake-up call."

Happiness spreads socially, study finds: Click here
Your happiness may depend on many people you don't know -- friends of friends of friends.

How unusual cells may hold key to HIV control: Click here
Rare people who manage to control HIV on their own are offering new insights into how the immune system kills infected cells.

Scientists produce illusion of body-swapping: Click here
Neuroscientists say they have gotten people to perceive the bodies of mannequins and other people as their own.

Did a modern-day scourge save ancient Earth?: Click here
A gas blamed for global warming may once have helped Earth escape a deep freeze, some scientists propose.

Canada skyburst attributed to 10-ton rock: Click here
Researchers have been collecting witness reports and data on a giant flash in the skies over western Canada Nov. 20.

Oceans acidifying much faster than was thought: study: Click here
The process could pose a threat to some ocean life, scientists argue.

Needy amoebae reach out to "family": Click here
When in distress, some single-celled creatures seek the support of kin, researchers say.

Microbes may help fossilize ancient embryos: Click here
Bacterial decay was once viewed as the mortal enemy of fossilization, but a new study suggests otherwise.

Vast underground glaciers reported on Mars: Click here
The findings could present new avenues for the search for life or provide water to support future exploration, scientists claim.

Woolly-mammoth genome decoded: Click here
Biologists report that they have for the first time unraveled nearly the whole genetic code of an extinct animal.

Signs of dark matter found?: Click here
Telltale residue may have turned up from a mysterious and invisible substance that pervades the universe, astronomers say.

Earliest known nuclear family reported unearthed: Click here
Four ancient skeletons unearthed in Germany in 2005 seem to have been united in death as they were in life, researchers say.

"Super-aged" brains reveal secrets of sharp old-age memory: Click here
Tiny tangles may make the difference between a declining brain and lasting mental acuity.

Photo captures 3 planets by distant sun: Click here
The technology for imaging worlds in far-off solar systems is making strides, astronomers say.

Videogame craving may rev up brain's addiction circuits: Click here
When the urge to play a video game strikes, some players show similar brain activity to that of drug addicts, a study suggests.

Mouth microbes helping the chef make magic?: Click here
Bacteria play a role in creating the distinctive flavors of certain foods, scientists report.

Forgotten but not gone: leprosy lives on in America: Click here
Long seen as a disease of biblical times, leprosy still lurks but is often misdiagnosed, researchers warn.

Bullies may enjoy others' pain: Click here
Brain scans suggest unusually aggressive youth find pleasure in others' suffering, scientists say.

Cancer genome sequenced: Click here
Researchers report success with a new strategy for identifying mutations involved in cancer.

Giant simulation could help solve "dark matter" mystery: Click here
A search for the mysterious substance making up most of the material in the universe may be over before long, cosmologists claim.

Kids' music practice may pay off in other skills: Click here
Children who study an instrument outperform others even in non-musical skills, a study has found.

Same gene, different results: Click here
Scientists are learning to their surprise that a single gene very often functions differently in different parts of the body.

"Real" Crusoe's isle said to yield clues to sojourn: Click here
The tale of the marooned Robinson Crusoe is thought to be based on the real experience of sailor Alexander Selkirk.

Study: red enhances men's attraction to women: Click here
Something many players of the love and dating game have long suspected, now has scientific confirmation.

Thin line between love, hate? Science explains why: Click here
Brain scans suggest a certain overlap between hate and romantic love, experimenters say.

Green space better for kids' waistlines, health: Click here
In an era of rampant obesity, researchers see a better outlook for children in leafy neighborhoods.

Two asteroid belts found in solar system's young "twin": Click here
A nearby star has two rocky belts, an outer icy ring and probably unseen planets, researchers say.

World's smallest storage space: an atomic nucleus: Click here
A study describes yet a new step toward quantum computing.

Warm hands, warm hearts: Click here
Just holding a hot cup of coffee can improve one's attitude toward a stranger, scientists have found.

Dancing molecules "trapped": Click here
New technology aims to better show how molecules move, rather than just how they're made.

Key to fighting poverty: toilets: Click here
More toilets and safer water would do more to improve world health than any other possible measure, a report says.

Dino crests may have had communication role: Click here
Scientists are taking a new look at strange, bony crests on the heads of some dinosaurs.

Scientists: one brain cell may reverse muscle paralysis: Click here
Activation of a single brain cell may help restore muscle activity, researchers report.

"Peacenik" chimps not always so nice: Click here
A study on bonobo hunting habits challenges traditional ideas of how aggression originates.

"Other half" of Darwin's theory passes test: Click here
Some flirtatious cells have confirmed Darwin's view of how sexual advertising evolves, biologists say.

Study: narcissists tend to lead, but not better: Click here
Self-centered, overconfident types often take control -- and others tend to accept it, scientists claim.

Why some kids suffer chronic bullying: Click here
Researchers say factors identifiable in infancy predict later victimization.

Craft "ready" to map outer solar system: Click here
A NASA satellite is to image and map processes at the regions where a hot wind from the Sun hits cold outer space.

Found: earliest known animal tracks?: Click here
Scientists claim to have found possibly the earliest animal footprints, but admit the report will stir skepticism.

Religion can spur goodness -- but it depends: Click here
Belief in God has fostered cooperation that aided the rise of some large, stable societies, researchers say.

AIDS pandemic may be a century old: Click here
A study suggests the most pervasive strain of HIV began spreading among humans between 1884 and 1924.

"Nanoparticles" may seep through skin: Click here
The health implications of nanoparticles in the body are uncertain, investigators note.

NASA: snow found in Martian skies: Click here
It's not certain whether the flakes ever reach ground, researchers say.

Researchers explore amnesia, sex link: Click here
Investigators are puzzled by reports suggesting sexual intercourse may occasionally lead to temporary amnesia.

One more terror for ancient fish: monster ducks: Click here
Duck-like birds almost the size of small airplanes, armed with tooth-like spikes, once skimmed ocean waters, researchers say.

Possible oldest-known rocks found: Click here
A section of Canadian bedrock more than four billion years old may help shed light on Earth's early evolution, geologists say.

Temporary collider shutdown a "blow": Click here
Technical problems have struck a giant particle-smasher whose recent launch scientists hailed as historic.

Something beyond visible universe detected?: Click here
Scientists have measured an unexpected motion in distant clusters of galaxies.

"Smoothest" mirror could lead to new microscopes: Click here
Physicists say they have created unusual surfaces that could help image biological samples more precisely without destroying them.

Origin of fingers seen in fish: Click here
Previous findings on the subject were mistaken, a report claims.

Sensitivity to sudden noises may predict your politics: Click here
Our political views come from places deeper inside of us than many had suspected, a study suggests.

"Relic" ant said to hail from lost past: Click here
A bizarre predatory, blind, underground ant probably descends almost straight from the first ants, scientists say.

Spider sex cannibalism: it may come down to size: Click here
There's no deep, complex reason why females eat the males -- they're just hungry, two researchers say.

World's largest study of near-death experiences to start: Click here
New research aims to establish whether people may have thoughts for a time while clinically "dead."

"Historic" collider operation begins: Click here
The first beam in the world's newest and largest particle collider was switched on this morning, scientists announced.

On-and-off floods formed Mars valleys, study finds: Click here
Floods that created distinctive features of Mars were not of a catastrophic sort, scientists claim.

Report: cells "from space" have unusual makeup: Click here
A lineage of mysterious microbes found in some rain give off colors in a strange way, two scientists are reporting.

"Junk DNA" key to human evolution?: Click here
Genetic material once dismissed as useless might have contributed to our upright walking, researchers say.

Robotic helicopters teach themselves stunts: Click here
The research is a prelude to designing choppers that search for land mines or fight fires, scientists predict.

Cancer cells may "prepare" earlier than thought: Click here
New research on mice suggests disturbing conclusions but also could inspire new therapeutic strategies, researchers say.

Why are flies so hard to swat? Chalk it up to good planning: Click here
Fast, high-resolution video imaging is revealing secrets of the wily insects.

Scientists report converting cells to new type directly: Click here
Research described as a major advance sidesteps previous complications with the production of stem cells for medical treatment.

A surprising new way to discourage risky behaviors?: Click here
Linking a risky behavior with groups of "other" people is an effective way to discourage it, researchers claim.

New collider promises to transform physics: Click here
A massive particle smasher to start operation next month will reveal deeper laws, physicists say.

"Extreme" rain follows global warming: Click here
Heavy rain is coming unexpectedly more often as global warming continues, researchers say.

Washington's doctors absolved: Click here
The statesman was beyond help when his much-maligned doctors found him on a fateful morning in 1799, a study concludes.

Scientists: century-old drug might cure Parkinson's, more: Click here
A study with mice suggests a century-old drug could slow or even cure Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, researchers say.

Computer helps reassemble a lost past: Click here
Rebuilding shattered artifacts can be like solving jigsaw puzzles of bewildering proportions.

Stone-Age graveyard reveals life in a "green Sahara": Click here
Scientists in Niger are reported to have found the Sahara Desert's largest known Stone-Age graveyard.

A bit of dazzle to throw off predators: Click here
Bright patterns may really work to protect animals from becoming a meal, researchers say.

Mass extinction going on, researchers say: Click here
Great die-offs of amphibians are a sign that a mass extinction is underway on Earth -- brought on by us, some scientists argue.

Pride and shame displays "universal": Click here
In both victory and defeat, athletes blind from birth behave much like their sighted counterparts, psychologists have found.

"Extreme" rain follows global warming: Click here
Heavy rain is coming unexpectedly more often as global warming continues, researchers say.

Dolphins and the evolution of teaching: Click here
Some dolphins seem to teach their young to forage, by repeating actions many times and "pointing" at things, scientists report.

Martian salt not bad for life: scientists: Click here
A finding of perchlorate salts is leading researchers to "reassess" the planet's habitability.

Nature's mightiest bites calculated: Click here
The great white shark has the hardest bite of any living species known -- yet it's a mere nibble compared to that of an extinct shark, a study finds.

U.S. understated HIV infection rate: Click here
Many more Americans pick up the AIDS virus yearly than past official estimates showed, authorities said.

Road to obesity may begin by age two: Click here
Children often become overweight by age two -- thereby hitting a "tipping point," researchers report.

NASA confirms water on Mars: Click here
The agency's robotic Phoenix Lander "touched and tasted" the Red Planet's frozen water, a mission scientist says.

Drug may trick body into "thinking" you exercised: Click here
A new study is creating both hope, and worries that a remarkable substance could be ripe for abuse.

Revealing a world of hidden paintings: Click here
Researchers unveiled a new technique for seeing what lies beneath visible layers of paint.

Diamonds may have best friend to earliest life: Click here
The surfaces of gems may have provided the conditions for life to evolve, scientists say.

Earth filmed as "alien" world: Click here
The first spacecraft from Earth to have studied a comet up-close has taken on a new project.

Single atoms viewed thanks to super-material: Click here
A recently discovered substance may be both the strongest known, and the first to allow the imaging of small atoms.

Baby penguins found dead by the hundreds: Click here
The news comes weeks after a report claimed penguin populations are being devastated globally.

Robotic mini-snowmobiles ply the Arctic: Click here
Researchers are developing the devices in a bid to better understand effects blamed on global warming.

Tweaking quantum force lowers barrier to tiny devices: Click here
Cymbals don't clash on their own -- in our world, anyway.

Smog may boost storms, NASA finds: Click here
Pollution is being called a likely reason why summer storms in the southeastern U.S. are worst at midweek.

Tit-for-tat: birds found to repay wartime help: Click here
Pied flycatchers and red-winged blackbirds share two traits, studies suggest: they're feisty defenders and shrewd account keepers.

Atoms found to interact unexpectedly: Click here
A surprising process may change our understanding of chemical reactions in the atmosphere and our bodies.

In mice, "youth" drug seen prolonging vigor but not life: Click here
A red wine ingredient can ward off many ill effects of aging in mice who start taking it at midlife, researchers have found.

Study finds lasting benefit in banned mushroom drug: Click here
The compound psilocybin may bring psychological benefits, but also harm if taken without proper supervision, researchers say.

Secret of the great violins? The wood, study suggests: Click here
The long-sought explanation for the unmatched sound may lie in uniformity of density, a scientist claims.

Penguin populations falling steeply: biologist: Click here
Like the proverbial canary in the coal mine, penguins are sounding the alarm for possible environmental disaster, an expert warns.

Red wine may mitigate red meat's dangers: Click here
Chemicals in wine may thwart formation of harmful substances during digestion of fat in meat, scientists say.

"Most primitive" known four-legged animal described: Click here
New findings may further close the already shrinking gaps in in the fossil record of the epochal transition, from land to sea.

Brain region for adventurousness reported found: Click here
Located in a primitive part of the brain, it's activated when we choose unfamiliar options, researchers say.

Epic crash may explain two faces of Mars: Click here
Scientists have been hard-pressed to explain why the two halves of Mars look very different.

On brink of collapse, Neanderthals may have flourished: Click here
Newfound stone tools offer a snapshot of ancient technological change, experts say.

The Odyssey astronomically accurate?: Click here
The ancient Greek epic of adventure at sea and long-awaited homecoming may have more truth than suspected, scientists say.

From the egg, baby crocs call out: Click here
Pre-hatching calls actually mean something to the siblings and mothers, researchers have found.

Planes with glass wings?: Click here
A new insight into the nature of glass might make it possible, some scientists say.

In distant universe, the same laws: Click here
Nature's laws appear to be the same far off as they are here, helping to resolve a scientific debate, scientists report.

Faked research data common, survey suggests: Click here
Scientific misconduct may be much more widespread than hitherto suspected, U.S. government researchers say.

Study: gays' brain symmetry resembles other sex: Click here
Researchers have found that gay people's brains resemble those of the opposite sex in some ways.

Eat the parents: Click here
In a practice thought to be over 100 million years old, some creatures feed on their mothers' skin.

Some "dwarf planets" are now "plutoids": Click here
Newly introduced terminology further complicates the once-simple concept of "planet."

Just-launched telescope scans gamma-ray sky: Click here
The cosmos looks much different outside the narrow range of colors our eyes see.

Drug found to cure alcoholic rats: Click here
Scientists say the research suggests a potential treatment for human boozers.

Taming volcanoes: Click here
Chunks of limestone might be key to stopping lava in its tracks, a study proposes.

Parasite turns host into bodyguard: Click here
Among those nasty creatures that live as unwanted guests inside others, some are particularly sinister.

From cracks to catastrophes: Click here
A field known as singularity theory explores hidden complexities in events from the everyday to the extraordinary.

Obesity may not be directly due to eating: Click here
A study of worms suggests the nervous system controls eating and fat separately, researchers say.

Brain abnormalities seen in heavy pot smokers: Click here
Two important brain structures appear smaller in long-time, heavy pot smokers, a study has found.

Revealed: One of the last 'uncontacted' tribes: Click here
A new photo shows members of one of the last tribes not to have any contact with the outside world, living in the deep Amazon rainforest.

Gender math gap erasable, studies suggest: Click here
New research may shed light on a long, bitter debate: are boys better at math than girls?

Monkey controls robotic arm with thoughts: Click here
Scientists reported what they said is a smoothly working system that might help paralyzed people.

Big quakes found to spark jolts worldwide: Click here
Bumps even on the opposite side of the globe can follow a large earthquake, researchers say.

Mars craft lands in search of ice: Click here
The event marks the start of what scientists hope will be the first in-depth robotic exploration of water ice, and perhaps life, on the planet.

Crystal skulls are fake: study: Click here
As Indiana Jones races to find an ancient artefact in the new film, he might want to take a moment to check its authenticity.

Tests back up theory of hot springs on Mars: Click here
Mars may have experienced life-giving processes similar to those that occur at Yellowstone National Park, researchers say.

Robot follows in cricket's footleaps: Click here
A tiny new robot weighs little more than a medium-sized coin and can jump more than 27 times its body size.

For once, a supernova is seen at birth: Click here
A stroke of luck may provide valuable insight into massive stellar explosions.

Spray turns people to pushovers: Click here
Researchers have identified brain centers activated by betrayal of trust -- and a way to keep them quiet.

Extinct gene resurrected: Click here
Scientists say they have gotten a gene from the now-lost Tasmanian tiger to work in a mouse.

Erectile woes may portend heart disease: Click here
Erectile dysfunction is always a matter of the heart, but new research suggests more than romance is at stake.

Brighter universe seen: ours: Click here
Simple dust has kept scientists from realizing that the cosmos is twice as bright as it appears, astronomers say.

U.S. to list polar bears as threatened: Click here
But because climate change is thought to be involved, there are big questions as to whether the ruling will spark decisive action.

Dip in brainpower may follow drop in real power: Click here
Researchers say lack of status seems to erode mental function -- with complicated implications for society.

Designer isotopes push the frontiers: Click here
Creating rare variants of chemical elements may be the next big thing in nuclear physics.

Brain molecules may tell of child abuse: Click here
A study has found distinct chemical markings on the DNA of people who took their own lives after suffering maltreatment.

Study: galactic goings-on were dinos' undoing, and maybe ours: Click here
Our movement through the galaxy may cause mass extinctions, researchers claim.

Probe to reach near sun: Click here
An unmanned NASA craft would plunge into an inferno more than hot enough to liquefy stone.

"Nanotrees" might help miniaturize gadgets: Click here
Beautiful and possibly useful, tiny structures shed light on strange aspects of crystal growth, scientists say.

Mega-storm continues on Saturn: Click here
Saturnian electrical storms resemble Earth thunderstorms, but much larger, with lightning 10,000 times stronger.

Musical genes may be coming to light: Click here
Musical ability seems to share genetic roots with language, scientists report.

Training may boost type of intelligence: Click here
General problem-solving ability may be improved through a series of exercises, researchers say.

Gene therapy success reported in blindness cases: Click here
Clinical trial results are being called one of the first clear successes for gene therapy.

Fateful signature may haunt unsuspecting patients: Click here
When you tell your doctors to cut life support -- then forget you did and change your mind -- there may be a problem.

The inbred -- betrayed by scent?: Click here
Female mice can sniff out inbred males, and the same might be true of other species, researchers say.

Understanding of superconductivity may be nearing: Click here
A strange effect called superconductivity offers hopes of a new electrical golden age. But scientists don't quite know how to get there.

Brain found to prepare decisions in advance: Click here
New research casts fresh doubt on whether we have free will.

Step toward man-made lightning reported: Click here
Scientists say they have touched off electric discharges in thunderclouds by shooting powerful lasers.

Dinosaurs along the Grand Canyon?: Click here
Arizona's monstrous gorge may be 55 million years old or more, researchers say.

Unproven genetic tests called health threat: Click here
Little is done to keep unreliable or misleadingly advertised tests off the U.S. market, a report warns.

Strange animal finds: Lungless frogs, crawling fish: Click here
Biologists are still getting over their surprise from unrelated findings of two weird species in the past week.

Meteorites left "seeds" of Earth's left-handed life: Click here
New research could explain why Earthly life forms prefer only one orientation of molecules called amino acids.

Hunting was just final straw for mammoth, study finds: Click here
Does the human species have mammoth blood on its hands? Scientists have long debated it.

Scientist: "superbugs" resist all drugs, portend pandemic: Click here
Doctors are resorting to drugs once abandoned due to harsh side effects -- and even that has stopped working in some cases.

Organic chemicals detected at Saturn moon: Click here
A surprising "brew" is erupting like a geyser from Saturn's moon Enceladus, according to researchers.

Preterm birth tied to lifelong problems: Click here
Premature birth leads to health issues more varied and lasting than was known, scientists report.

Uniqueness in human brain's language zone: Click here
Human cells have more complex interconnections in and around language-linked brain areas, researchers say.

The evolution of drug abuse: Click here
New research challenges traditional explanations of why we wallow in chemical gratification.

Blast called furthest object visible to naked eye: Click here
Halfway across the known cosmos, scientists say, a massive stellar explosion March 19 was briefly visible to unaided eyes.

Distant moon may have hidden ocean: Click here
Scientists are reporting evidence of a vast body of water and ammonia inside Saturn's moon Titan.

Money might buy happiness -- when you spend on others: Click here
People report greater happiness if they spend money on gifts or charity, researchers say.

Drive to complexity seen in animal evolution: Click here
A study claims to clarify a longtime debate: does evolution have long-term trends?

Estimates for peopling of Americas getting earlier: Click here
Humans appear to have first entered the Americas some 22,000 years ago, according to some archaeologists.

More "little people" fossils found: Click here
A finding may renew and complicate a debate over whether miniature, island-dwelling people once evolved.

That habitable planet might not be so far: Click here
We just might have neighbors among the closest stars to our sun, scientists say.

Butterflies may keep memories of caterpillar youth: Click here
Scientists have wondered for over a century whether memory survives metamorphosis.

Grand Canyon 20 million years old, study says: Click here
The canyon's "incision history" has been disputed for more than a century.

Study: media misconstrues blues as "chemical imbalance": Click here
An ancient, but unsupported notion about depression still finds its way into many news reports, a study has found.

After jeers, some recognition for "reverse evolution" theorist: Click here
A leading research journal is set to publish work by a controversial Turkish physiologist who studies people who walk on all fours.

Dark energy, or just dust? Findings raise questions: Click here
Outer space may be strewn with tiny whiskers of carbon that dim faraway objects, researchers say.

Pollution may make birds change their tune: Click here
Nothing like a birdsong to remind you of nature's glory, right? Maybe not quite, according to rather creepy new findings.

Brain workings linked to parental instinct: Click here
Infant faces spark a flurry of activity in a key brain region, researchers have found.

"Noah's Ark" seed vault opens: Click here
A remote vault designed to protect seeds for future generations received its first shipments.

Expert: obesity, global warming could be fought together: Click here
Redesigning cities to curb excess driving could reduce both warming and waistlines, a physician claims.

Pirates had "democratic" ways: Click here
Pirates of old created impressive examples of self-rule and mutual fairness -- largely because they had little choice, a researcher says.

Computers learn "regret": Click here
New programs imitate human decision-making in strategy games by looking backwards.

Music may aid stroke recovery: Click here
A study suggests music helps stimulate repair of brain wiring, researchers report.

Moon systems, not planets, may be place to find life: Click here
Alien life might be both easier and more interesting to discover through a new strategy, a study suggests.

Brain cells tied to consciousness reported found: Click here
Trying to understand what causes consciousness is one of the all-time most exasperating problems in science.

Study links heavy cell phone use to cancer: Click here
Increased risk of salivary gland tumors might be avoidable by using hands-free devices, researchers say.

Salt might have thwarted Martian life: Click here
New findings may narrow the possibilities for where and when microbes could have lived on the red planet.

People feeling powerful don't listen, study finds: Click here
Don't bother trying to feed your boss a new idea while he's feeling important, new research suggests.

Two strange dinos, one dark hunger -- fresh meat: Click here
Newfound fossils highlight the unusual carnivores that prowled southern lands in the Cretaceous, researchers say.

Simple recipe for ad success: art: Click here
Seeing almost any painting on a product or product pitch makes people rate the item more highly, studies suggest.

Why anyone can make a sandcastle: Click here
The precise amount of water in the sand doesn't matter much. Researchers now think they know why.

Probe would swim into alien seas: Click here
Scientists hope to send a robotic submarine into oceans that may lurk within a moon of Jupiter.

A function for "gay genes" after all?: Click here
Studies of some unusual men in the remote Pacific have led scientists to surprising conclusions.

A machine with a taste -- for espresso: Click here
Can a machine taste coffee? The question has plagued scientists who study the bracing beverage.

"Sounds" of individual molecules captured: Click here
Physicists claim to have made their tiny vibrations, describable as sound by some definitions, audible.

Severe stress in pregnancy may be tied to children's schizophrenia: Click here
The popular notion that a mother's state of mind can affect her unborn baby seems to have some truth, scientists say.

Communing with nature less and less: Click here
People are losing interest in the outdoors, and it bodes ill for health and the environment, researchers warn.

Particle smasher may reveal extra dimensions: Click here
Physicists have big hopes for the world's most powerful particle accelerator, to start up this summer.

A common ancestor for all blue-eyed people: Click here
Everyone with blue eyes can trace their lineage to one person who lived around the late Stone Age, researchers say.

Surprises from smallest planet: Click here
A spacecraft has given scientists a totally new look at Mercury, NASA reports.

Get lazy, age faster: Click here
People who are physically active in their spare time seem biologically younger than their couch-bound peers, researchers say.

Girl changes blood type, immune system: Click here
Doctors are describing a teenage Australian as something of a medical miracle.

A new geologic age -- started by us: Click here
A radical proposal is gaining ground among geologists.

Researchers report blackest black yet made: Click here
A new material could one day improve solar energy technology by increasing light absorption, scientists say.

Claim of alien cells in rain may fit historical accounts: study: Click here
A controversial theory concerning recent strange, red rains hasn't died. In fact, things might be getting weirder.

Do rich nations "owe" poor ones for eco-abuse?: Click here
It would seem they do -- more than $1.8 trillion, if a new appraisal is to be believed.

"Largest" ever fossil rodent found: Click here
A rodent as big as a bull once roamed South America, researchers report.

Death by flowers: giant, suicidal palm has botanists stumped: Click here
Scientists are wondering how a self-destructing plant got to Madagascar and eluded discovery before now.

Clone food safe, FDA says; no sales foreseen yet: Click here
U.S. regulators say and milk from cloned animals are safe to eat.

Did Columbus lead syphilis to Europe?: Click here
A study suggests as much, but some researchers say it's far from the last word.

Researchers recreate rat heart: Click here
The work may be a first step toward building lifelike, functioning human hearts, scientists say.

Mystery world a merged planet?: Click here
A strange object "needs a strange explanation," an astronomer says.

"Unprecedented" results after new Alzheimer's treatment: Click here
Researchers say an already approved drug reverses symptoms of a devastating illness.

Pollution found to shrink fetuses: Click here
New findings bode ill for the lifelong health of affected children, scientists warn.

Four healthy habits may give 14 more years: study: Click here
Researchers see a remarkable combined benefit in following four basic healthy practices.

"Micro-needle" would spare patients the sting: Click here
A tiny needle made partly of ceramic may allow painless injections, researchers claim.

Shrinking helium reserves may threaten more than kids' play: Click here
The element that lifts balloons, spirits and voice ranges also plays key roles in technology -- but it may run out.

Did insects take down T. rex?: Click here
A new book fingers a surprise suspect as contributor to the dinosaurs' demise.

Search for ET beefed up -- with your help: Click here
A search for radio signals from alien civilizations is set to become 500 times more powerful, investigators say.

Anthrax may be ally in cancer war: Click here
Most people wouldn't consider anthrax helpful. But its toxin may someday be a cancer therapy, scientists claim.

Science gives beauty some of its mystery back -- for now: Click here
There may be more to good looks than averageness, after all.

Is humor tied to male aggression?: Click here
A doctor's hobby of unicycling turned into a study of human nature that offers a new perspective on why we joke.

Small asteroids may do major damage: Click here
A new look at a 1908 event suggests disaster from space could be more common than once thought.

Whales evolved from raccoon-sized creature, study finds: Click here
The "missing link" for whales and dolphins was a small hoofed mammal, researchers say.

Galaxy seen blasting neighbor: Click here
A jet from a galaxy's giant, central black hole is pummeling a nearby galaxy, according to astronomers.

Famed wreck reported found, "pristine": Click here
Remains of a ship linked to the scandalous 17th century "pirate," Capt. Kidd., could shed light on a pivotal era, archaeologists say.

Global warming to worsen malnutrition: report: Click here
Amid rising concern over climate change, three U.N. agencies issued a stark new warning.

Why we feel "slow motion" during crisis: Click here
Why does "time fly" as you get older -- or seem slower during accidents? Scientists say they have an answer.

Life's building blocks formed on Mars: study: Click here
Organic molecules might be able to form on any cold, rocky planet, researchers claim.

Did "dark stars" reign in early cosmos?: Click here
Stars powered by dark matter might still exist, some scientists propose.

Google's kinship with the mind: Click here
Thinking and using a Web search engine might seem to be very different activities. But a study has found they may draw on similar principles.

Honey may be best for cough, research finds: Click here
Some cultures have long used honey for cough relief.

Fitness predicts longevity better than fat: study: Click here
Fat but fit may be OK, researchers say.

Flu mystery may be cracked: Click here
Influenza spreads in winter because the virus thrives on cold, dry air, scientists have found.

Humans lose to chimps in number memory game: Click here
Young chimps have an "extraordinary" ability to remember numerals, researchers report.

Dino "mummy" has skin turned to stone: Click here
A startlingly well-preserved dinosaur may have had stripes and the ability to outrun T. rex, according to researchers.

First reversal of aging in an organ claimed: Click here
A short-term success in rejuvenating the skin of mice points the way to future progress against aging, scientists say.

Antarctic image map to "revolutionize" research: Click here
A new map of the frozen continent, in unprecedented detail, is free on the Web.

Scientists hope to give artificial limbs "feelings": Click here
New findings point to a way amputees could gain sensation in, and more control over, prostheses, researchers say.

A "Big Bang" of plant evolution: Click here
Scientists are shedding light on what Charles Darwin called an "abominable mystery": how flowers evolved.

Site tied to Rome's legendary founding revealed: Click here
Archaeologists revealed a site said to have been venerated as the cave where, by legend, a she-wolf raised Rome's twin founders.

Stem cells on demand? Possible, studies suggest: Click here
Two research teams are reporting that they may have made human cells into stem cells.

"Noah's flood" spread farming, researchers say: Click here
An ancient deluge -- controversially linked to the tale of Noah's Ark -- kick-started European agriculture, a study claims.

Robot infiltrators sway roach group decisions: Click here
They don't look like cockroaches -- but they smell and act enough like them.

Drastic diet may extend human life: study: Click here
Researchers knew it worked in animals, but whether we'd benefit has been unclear.

Monkey embryos reported cloned: Click here
The work could lead to a way to produce patient-specific stem cells for curing disease, researchers say.

What's in a name? Studies link initials to success: Click here
If you like your name too much, even unconsciously, you might be in trouble, scientists suggest.

Alzheimer's "vaccine" seen to aid mice: Click here
Immunization might blunt or even prevent the ravages of Alzheimer's disease, researchers say.

Cosmic mystery "solved" after decades: Click here
Ultra-energetic cosmic rays probably come from supermassive black holes, a study concludes.

Why poor kids may make sicker adults: Click here
Scientists believe they're starting to understand why the poor suffer worse health and shorter lives than the rich.

Solar system "packed with planets" looks like our own: Click here
Astronomers report finding a solar system that resembles ours more than any other known.

Even monkeys rationalize, study finds: Click here
After we make a questionable choice, we often think up -- or make up -- new reasons why it was right after all.

Gene tied to lower cognitive function in kids: Click here
The research raises new possibilites for therapies targeting cognitive function, researchers say.

Competition drives forward robotic car technology: Click here
A university team won $2 million for its entry in a government-sponsored competition for self-driving cars.

Study suggests how DNA building block might have formed: Click here
Researchers say the work could help understand how DNA originated on early Earth.

Genes affecting generosity may be found: Click here
One gene underlying altruism is an evolutionarily ancient strip of DNA also found in rodents, a study indicates.

At 400, clam may be longest-lived animal known: Click here
A venerable mollusc could shed light on the mysteries of aging, researchers say.

Majority found willing to consider cosmetic surgery: Click here
The widespread appeal of plastic surgery surprises a scientist studying the issue.

Humans go into heat after all, strip club study finds: Click here
Mammals go into heat. Except humans -- it's just for animals, right? Wrong, a study has found.

Cosmic anomaly could point to ultimate realities: Click here
A new proposal for the possible cause of a strange "cold spot" suggests profound implications.

Scientists report flipping worms' sex preferences: Click here
Research suggests human sexual orientation may be genetic, as with roundworms, researchers say.

Researchers: warming could cause mass extinction: Click here
Predicted climate change could kill off more than half of animal and plant species, a study warns.

A predisposition to pedophilia?: Click here
Male pedophiles are shorter than average, hinting at biological factors in pedophilia, researchers say.

Aspirin against heart disease: just for men?: Click here
First it was an apple; now a small aspirin a day is thought to keep the doctor away, or at least heart attacks. But women might benefit less.

Study: Neanderthals had "language gene": Click here
The only gene known to date to underlie language was present in our stocky cousins, scientists say.

Elephants tell human friends from foes, study finds: Click here
Elephants are remarkably perceptive in distinguishing ethnic groups, research suggests.

Nobel scientist catches heat over race comments: Click here
A DNA co-discoverer's reported statements on African and European intelligence raised an uproar.

Trip to beach a milestone in human evolution: study: Click here
The discovery of coastal living may have put our forbears on the road to modernity, according to researchers.

Making light bend backwards: Click here
An unusual material could help usher in new electronic devices and ultra-potent microscopes, engineers say.

Probing ancient shipwrecks with DNA: Click here
DNA can help tell what long-sunken transport jars contained, say scientists studying a Greek wreck.

"Most complete" giant dino, new species, reported found: Click here
A dinosaur with a huge neck is part of a bonanza of newly described finds.

Feminists are sexy, study finds: Click here
Stereotypes of feminists as sexually unappealing are wrong: in fact, feminism may improve romance, researchers say.

Hormone found to predict mother-child bonding: Click here
Levels of a hormone in a pregnant woman predict how closely she'll bond with her baby, scientists report.

Genes for overeating?: Click here
People driven to eat may need to eat more than others do to get the same rewarding feeling, researchers say.

Oldest wall painting said found: Click here
Archaeologists report finding an 11,000-year-old mural in Syria.

Other universes may be detectable, published study claims: Click here
If there are other universes, then one or more of them might leave a mark on ours, a study suggests.

When our vices get the better of us: Click here
What happens in the brain when we just can't say no?

"Megadroughts" may have driven human evolution: Click here
Extreme droughts parched tropical Africa as early humans evolved, researchers report.

Could you eat this? Hunt for better fertilizer leads to human urine: Click here
Healthy people's urine is nutrient-rich and virtually sterile, scientists say.

What lies beneath? Possible Mars caves found: Click here
A discovery is fueling interest in searches for caves that could shelter Martian life, or human explorers.

Pain relief without the numbness: Click here
Scientists say they finally can knock out pain-sensing cells without disabling other types.

Craft lifts off to asteroid belt: Click here
In a mission astronomers are hailing as an historic first, a NASA spacecraft is on its way to study asteroids.

Arctic ice disappearing: Click here
Arctic sea ice extent just hit a low that shattered previous records, researchers report.

Age of "personal genomics" coming: Click here
The ethical and clinical implications must be carefully considered, experts say.

Good fences make good neighbors, scientists find: Click here
Could the cold reasonableness of math prevent the burning irrationality of ethnic strife?

A language dies every two weeks, researchers say: Click here
The demise of each obscure language in some corner of the world snuffs out centuries of tradition, culture and thinking.

Worrisome "silence" in genes may predict lung cancer: Click here
When it's quiet -- almost "too quiet" -- in movies, it's a sign something may be about to go wrong. Lung cancer may work similarly, researchers say.

Built-in brain "templates" may clue tots to threats: Click here
Do babies know something about spiders before ever seeing one?

Cold probably didn't end Neanderthals: study: Click here
What caused the demise of Neanderthal people, around 28,000 years ago in Europe?

Tailored virus kills brain cancer cells in mice: Click here
A customized virus killed stem cells that cause a highly aggressive, tenacious brain cancer, researchers report.

Sunless but livable planets may be detectable: Click here
They drift through deep space alone, studies suggest -- lightless, but perhaps not lifeless.

Report: Most polar bears to die out by 2050: Click here
Global warm-ing will kill off two-thirds of polar bears by 2050, U.S. government scientists forecast.

Researchers cracking case of the vanishing bees: Click here
A virus may explain a a mys­teri­ous syn­drome in which bees ab­an­don their hives, in­vest­i­ga­tors say.

Asteroid "crime family" blamed in dino wipeout: Click here
Scientists say they've learned where the thing that killed the dinosaurs probably came from.

"Spooky" atomic links could lead to "quantum internet": Click here
Physicists report making two atoms seemingly communicate across space.

Rockers really are more likely to die young: Click here
The adage "live fast and die young" seems to be true for rock and pop stars, a study finds.

"Lean gene" found: Click here
Researchers have reported finding a gene that helps keep its bearers skinny.

Surge in youth bipolar diagnoses seen: Click here
A study notes a 40-fold rise over a decade in the number of visits to doctors leading to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in U.S. youths.

Finding used to show "race isn't real" withdrawn: Click here
Famed geneticist Craig Venter dropped his claim that all people have 99.9 percent identical genes, but he still says race doesn't exist.

Reports of dolphin's demise premature: Click here
A businessman has spotted a Yangtze River dolphin weeks after it was reported probably extinct, scientists say.

Some gene damage from smoking is permanent: study: Click here
New research may help explain why former smokers are still more prone to cancer than those who have never smoked.

"Spiderman suit" may be on the way: Click here
Using technology adapted from gecko and spider feet, we could climb walls and ceilings, a study predicts.

Scientists: Ancient Mars microbes might still live: Click here
Some microbes can live for more than half a million years by repairing their DNA, a study indicates.

"Out of body" research attacks philosophical questions: Click here
Researchers say they have induced in healthy people the sensation of leaving their own bodies.

Monkeys "baby talk" young: Click here
Rhesus monkeys make special calls to infants -- but surprisingly, not their own, research has found.

Gaping "hole" in universe detected: Click here
Astronomers say they have come across an empty zone of stupendous size.

Free Google program brings heavens to Earth: Click here
It's like having a planetarium on your desktop, an astronomer says.

Humans not just "big-brained apes": scholar: Click here
Contrary to fashionable thinking, new studies show we really are unique, a psychologist argues.

Behind school shootings, rejection and anger: Click here
In a study, psychologists offer an assessment of why some students go on killing sprees.

Drug found to erase memories in rats: Click here
Memory erasure is a recurrent theme in science fiction, but until recently it has stayed in that realm only.

Star with long tail astonishes scientists: Click here
The object is in a sense a real shooting star, unlike most "shooting stars" which are rocks in the sky, astronomers say.

Mom's junk food could put babies at risk: Click here
Eating junk food while pregnant and breastfeeding could lead to overeating, obese kids, a study suggests.

Pollution blamed for four in 10 deaths: Click here
Water, air and soil pollution are behind some 40 percent of deaths globally, a study claims.

Animated fluids getting fancy: Click here
Beer pours, and waves roar, in a video illustrating the latest efforts to make computer-simulated liquids better and cheaper.

Facial attraction: how sexual choices shaped the face: Click here
Men with large jaws, wide cheeks and big eyebrows are sexy -- or at least were to our evolutionary ancestors, researchers say.

What? Where? When? Some animals may know: Click here
New findings may bear on debates over whether animals are conscious.

Perseid meteor shower enlivens sky: Click here
The meteor shower's natural fireworks should become visible in all their glory tonight.

First human-caused dolphin extinction reported: Click here
China's Yangtze River dolphin was a victim of fishers, and its perilous situation was long known, according to researchers.

Giant galaxy pileup seen: Click here
Four galaxies are merging in one of the largest cosmic smash-ups ever observed, astronomers say.

Dark matter doubters not silenced yet: Click here
Growing "proof" that an unseen, exotic substance pervades space still hasn't won over a core of skeptics.

Brain stimulation "awakens" near-unconscious patient: Click here
A new brain stimulation treatment awakened a patient from a near-vegetative state, researchers report.

Orangutan communication resembles "charades": Click here
Captive orangutans use gestures not unlike humans do in the parlor game, researchers say.

Scientists recreate "Hydra" of myth, in miniature: Click here
In the ancient Greek tale, the hero Hercules kills a many-headed monster that could regrow its heads.

Ancestor of the "living fossil" sheds new light: Click here
Zoologists called it the find of the century in 1938: a fish thought to have been extinct since dinosaurs roamed. A new discovery may help complete the story.

Blacks who kill whites likeliest to be executed, study finds: Click here
Bias in the U.S. justice system continues even after sentencing, a sociologist says.

Sabotage, Drinking Reports Shake NASA: Click here
America's space agency was shaken Thursday by two startling and unrelated reports.

Pot could boost psychosis risk later in life, study finds: Click here
Evidence points to a link between marijuana use and eventual loss of contact with reality, scientists say.

Obesity spreads socially, study finds: Click here
Your chances of becoming obese almost triple if a close friend is that way, research suggests.

"Itch gene" found: Click here
Are you scratching yourself to distraction? Relief may come soon, scientists claim.

Renewable energy wrecks environment, scientist claims: Click here
"Renewable" energy isn't green, says a researcher who played an early role in publicizing the issue of global warming.

Surprising chemicals found among stars: Click here
Discoveries are adding to the known ways in which life's ingredients could form, astronomers say.

Climate change behind U.K. floods?: Click here
Severe flooding hitting England may stem from global warming, according to some scientists.

Computers can play "perfect" checkers game: Click here
Computers have played every possible checkers move and solved the game once and for all, scientists report.

Species hiding in plain sight: Click here
New species are evading detection using an almost foolproof disguise -- their identical appearance to other, known species.

Little protection from cold seen in Vitamin C: Click here
Taking extra vitamin C daily won't help most people avoid common colds, a report says.

How fear memories take hold: Click here
Scientists have uncovered a molecular mechanism that they say governs the formation of fears stemming from traumatic events.

Baby mammoth found: Click here
SCIENCE IN IMAGES: Sci­en­tists are stu­dy­ing what they call the best-preserved spec­i­men of a ba­by mam­moth, found in May in the fro­zen ground of north­west Si­be­ria.

"Clear signs" of water on foreign solar system: Click here
Researchers say they have the best evidence to date that planets outside our solar system have water.

How Roman farmers left their mark on nature: Click here
Recently unearthed, ancient settlements are found to have had surprising effects on the landscape above.

Gene therapy reported to wipe out pancreatic cancer in mice: Click here
Researchers report encouraging signs in the fight against one of the deadliest cancers.

Researchers modify herpes virus to fight cancer: Click here
A virus designed to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones shows promise in a preliminary study, scientists say.

Do women really talk more than men?: Click here
New research challenges the popular idea that women are the big chatters.

New cancer mutation found: Click here
Biologists say they have found a mutation implicated in at least four types of cancer.

Cops racist in shooting? Not as much as the rest of us: Click here
A study has found little evidence that police shoot unarmed black people more readily than unarmed whites. But the research did turn up a surprise.

Poor smell sense could signal early Alzheimer's: Click here
Difficulty identifying common smells may be the first sign of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study.

First baby born from eggs matured in lab, frozen: Click here
Experiments are leading to novel fertility treatments, scientists report.

Universe "forgets" its past: Click here
Another universe may have preceded ours -- but its exact properties may be unknowable, some physicists have concluded.

Warm rock keeps North America from drowning, geologists say: Click here
Much of the continent would sink were it not for heat that makes rock buoyant, research has found.

Kitty's family tree analyzed: Click here
Housecats trace their ancestry back to Near Eastern wildcats, a study indicates.

Archaeologists think they have mummy of Queen Hatshepsut: Click here
Some researchers believe Hatshepsut, the most famous queen to rule ancient Egypt, has been found.

Human-like altruism claimed in chimps: Click here
Scientists often assume that purely unselfish behavior, if it exists, is unique to people.

Ancient giant penguins liked it hot: Click here
New finds shed light on the world of ancient penguins, some of which were as tall as many humans.

Intelligence favors first-borns, study finds: Click here
Children raised as the eldest sibling score slightly higher on intelligence tests, a study has found.

Ancient wolves had bone-crushing teeth, scientists find: Click here
A specialized breed of gray wolves once roamed Alaska's icy expanses, a study indicates.

The perks and pitfalls of pride: Click here
What is the origin and purpose of this complex emotion?

Power goes wireless: Click here
Researchers hope to banish the tangle of cables that keep alive our cell phones, laptops and other small devices.

Gigantic, bird-like dinosaur reported: Click here
Remains of a colossal, surprisingly bird-like dinosaur have been found in China, scientists say.

Rome reborn in virtual glory: Click here
Experts have recreated ancient Rome in a three-dimensional computer simulation.

Doctors investigate why man bled green: Click here
A report in a medical journal describes an unusual case.

First patent claimed on man-made life form, and challenged: Click here
A research institute is seeking a patent on what could be the first largely man-made organism.

Stem cells from anyone?: Click here
Patients could one day get new organs and other treatments using cells drawn from their own bodies.

T. rex, the clumsy giant?: Click here
New research challenges the traditional notion that the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex could turn quickly and chase down agile prey.

Abnormal sex acts linked to array of sleep disorders: Click here
Sexual behaviors during sleep may be more common than was once thought, researchers say.

Dump "ethnic cleansing" jargon, group implores: Click here
A team of scholars wants doctors and scientists to lead the world in consigning the phrase "ethnic cleansing" to history.

Lessons from orangutans: upright walking may have begun in trees: Click here
A new theory suggests our two-legged walk first arose in ancient, tree-dwelling apes.

Deer moms come to the rescue -- sometimes: Click here
Mothers in one deer species seem quite generous in defending other parents' kids, a study has found. Not so another species.

The evolution of animal personalities: Click here
Personality differences have been documented in dozens of species. What produces the variations?

Radio "screams" portend nasty space weather: Click here
Bursts of radio waves can provide advance warning of hazardous radiation storms, astronomers say.

Monster black holes, quietly cruising the cosmos?: Click here
Research suggests some galaxy mergers can spit giant black holes into space, for good.

Dolphin braininess due to social life, studies suggest: Click here
Dolphins and their kin are widely thought to be among the cleverest creatures. But what might have made them so is unclear.

Genes may influence our language: researchers: Click here
Differences in our genes may affect the type of language we speak, linguists report.

Study: stereotypes alone can hurt female performance: Click here
A stereotype that boys outperform girls in math causes anxiety that undercuts women's work -- in math and other areas, researchers report.

"Definitive" evidence of dinosaur swimming found: Click here
A trackway with 12 claw marks is the best evidence to date that some dinosaurs swam, scientists say.

Finger length linked to exam scores: Click here
Measurements of children's finger lengths appear to predict their scores on math and literacy tests, researchers have found.

Antibiotic resistance genes in our food?: Click here
The food we eat could be fueling the disturbing spread of antibiotic-resistant infections, scientists warn.

Saturn rings found clumpier, heavier than thought: Click here
Saturn's largest, most compact ring consists of clumps of particles separated by gaps, new findings indicate.

Sex-free shark birth startles scientists, and worries them: Click here
A female hammerhead shark was found to have given birth without having sex.

What is consciousness? Study aims to settle debate: Click here
Researchers also propose to subject claims of "out-of-body experiences" to a strict test.

Morality: where it came from, where it gets us: Click here
Morality is an evolved system, not quite equipped to deal with global-scale clashes of values, a scientist says.

Antarctic depths called possible "cradle of life": Click here
Scientists have found hundreds of new sea creatures in a vast, dark deep surrounding Antarctica.

Biodiversity good for mental health, scientists find: Click here
Species-rich parks may bring more peace of mind than big green spaces alone can, a study suggests.

Roots of "free will" seen in flies: Click here
Insects, with their apathetic eyes and stiff little frames, often seem to epitomize a common view of lower animals as robots. Not so, researchers say.

The galaxy next door -- our destined home?: Click here
New simulations predict what could happen when our galaxy, as expected, runs into a neighboring one.

First map of planet outside our system: Click here
Astronomers plan someday to map continents and oceans on distant planets.

Mutation may contribute to human uniqueness: Click here
Scientists have identified a gene that they say could help account for our distinctive cognitive abilities.

King Herod's tomb said to be found: Click here
Herod is said in the Bible to have ordered a slaughter of babies in order to be rid of the newborn Jesus.

Global warming could shorten day, report predicts: Click here
Earth's familiar 24-hour cycle may become a hair shorter due to human activities, scientists say.

"King" of star explosions seen: Click here
Astronomers report what could be a new type of supernova, the death blast of a massive star.

Ripples on Sun reported, after 30-year search: Click here
Findings could help understand the Sun's core -- hub of the original, spinning cloud that became our Solar System.

New "longevity gene" spurs hopes of long life: Click here
Findings could lead to new anti-aging treatments, scientists say.

Female duck anatomy evolves to block "rape": Click here
Male and female ducks are evolving in a sexual arms race, according to a study.

Clues to language origins seen in ape gestures: Click here
Scientists have found what they call new evidence for an old theory that language began with gestures.

Is reality a misunderstanding?: Click here
Several physicists say they've confirmed strange predictions of modern physics that flout our most basic ideas of reality

Internet-controlled robots anyone can build: Click here
New research is touted as bringing robotics to an unprecedented level of public usability.

Distant planet judged possibly habitable: Click here
Astronomers report finding the most Earth-like planet outside our Solar System to date.

Origin of brain lies in a worm, scientists say: Click here
Surprising findings also suggest we've flipped over during the course of evolution.

City-sized fossil forest found: Click here
A "spectacular" discovery in a coalmine is said to transform our understanding of the first rainforests.

Black holes may scatter "seeds of life" through cosmos: Click here
Black holes aren't the all-consuming monsters they're often portrayed as, new research has found.

Ape facial expressions foster group harmony, study finds: Click here
Facial expressions may have evolved as a sort of social glue in our ape-like ancestors, researchers say.

Robotic arm to conduct brain surgery: Click here
The machine will give surgeons an unprecedented degree of fine control, the designers say.

Grow a garden to fire kids' veggie-ardor: Click here
Homes with fruit and vegetable gardens see healthier eating among youth, a study finds.

Swarms of dust-sized particles would explore planets: Click here
Engineers are devising a new breed of planetary probes: tiny devices that ride the wind.

Ethanol vehicles pose health risks, study finds: Click here
Ethanol is widely touted as a clean, eco-friendly fuel. But new research challenges that view.

Findings uphold "standard model," for now: Click here
Researchers presented long-awaited initial data from tests on ghostly particles called neutrinos.

Gene study finds "clearest link yet" to obesity: Click here
U.K. scientists say they have identified the clearest genetic link yet to obesity in the general population.

Dinosaur molecules decoded: Click here
Researchers have analyzed molecules from soft tissue of a T. rex, a feat once thought impossible.

"Space tsunamis" investigated: Click here
New findings are shedding light on celestial storms that help create dramatic light shows.

Catching suicide bombers: Click here
U.S. researchers say they have developed a way to defeat a key edge that suicide bombers possess.

Plague as a weapon: Click here
Scientists worry that a disease tied to medieval epidemics may re-emerge as a bioterrorism tool.

Climate report charts "highway to extinction": Click here
A new international report on global warming makes dire predictions.

Even after dino dieoff, our mammal forebears laid low: study: Click here
The dinosaurs' extinction wasn't the direct cause of the great flourishing of mammals, research indicates.

Hexagon on Saturn mystifies astronomers: Click here
An odd, six-sided feature encircles Saturn's north pole.

Human evolution, radically reappraised: Click here
Our evolution has been speeding up exorbitantly, a study contends.

"Emotional eavesdropping" seen in toddlers: Click here
Toddlers eavesdrop on adults' emotional communications, researchers say.

The next great quake: Click here
A geophysicist warns that seemingly innocuous geological structures may be "locked, loaded, and dangerous."

Brain mishaps lead to "cold" morality: Click here
A study at the crossroads of philosophy and neuroscience probed the ingredients of ethics.

Could self-moving objects explain away "dark matter"?: Click here
Each year, four points on Earth could witness a bizarre phenomenon, a study claims.

Traditional plant knowledge found to give health boost: Click here
Globalization can strip indigenous peoples of valuable botanical knowledge, researchers say.

Rats can reflect on their knowledge, study finds: Click here
New research was touted as the first to find this ability in an animal other than primates.

Probe to explore deepest known sinkhole: Click here
A robotic sub explores and maps unknown, subterranean waters -- a possible prelude to a probe on a distant moon.

Robot walks and swims: Click here
A new device demonstrates that nature often offers the best solutions for robot design, researchers say.

Little genomes for big dinosaurs: Click here
They might be giants, but many dinosaurs apparently had genomes no larger than that of a modern hummingbird.

Unifying principle said to govern all galaxies: Click here
The discovery could say something deep about the cosmos, astronomers claim.

Therapy for traumatized Iraq vets: Iraq again, virtually: Click here
An unusual treatment has worked for a few troubled war veterans, psychologists report.

"Mafia" behavior noted in birds: Click here
Researchers have found a new low in the ways of some parasitic birds, which impose their progeny on other birds.

"Wound" in seafloor to be probed: Click here
Scientists plan to set sail to study a strange geological finding in the depths of the Atlantic.

Seeing red affects achievement: Click here
Just a flash of red is enough to impair performance on tests, psychologists have found.

Inching closer to regrowing spinal tissue: Click here
Researchers have regrown a tadpole tail in what they say could be a stride for regenerative medicine.

Angry God, angry people: Click here
Scriptures portraying a vengeful Lord may encourage their readers to behave in kind, a study reports.

Milky Way’s black hole seen as particle smasher: Click here
The center of our galaxy acts as a juiced-up version of the particle accelerators we build on Earth, physicists say.

Death from across the galaxy: Click here
Explosions called gamma-ray bursts could beam lethal radiation across a galaxy, frying life forms along the way, a study has found.

Chimps found using spears: Click here
Chimps in Senegal were reported making sharpened sticks to hunt other, small primates.

Story of first Americans being rewritten: Click here
An anthropologist says new evidence could be the final nail in the coffin of traditional views on America's peopling.

Birds found to plan future meals: Click here
Western scrub jays seem to be acquainted with the concept of diet planning, scientists report.

Video games may boost surgical skill, tests find: Click here
A small study has linked video game savvy to skill in simulated laparoscopic surgeries.

Genome scan finds new genetic links to autism: Click here
The first results from a scan of the world's largest collection of DNA from families affected by autism point to two new genetic links.

Sun's "twin" found, as embryo: Click here
It's one of four newfound "proto-stars" that are probably the youngest imaged by astronomers, the researchers said.

Origami technology: Click here
Folding a piece of paper, it turns out, can yield a virtually endless array of shapes. Scientists are taking advantage of that.

Cleopatra no beauty? Judge for yourself: Click here
An Egyptian queen's vaunted looks got an unkind, Valentine's day reassessment from researchers.

Pot found to ease HIV-linked pain: Click here
Smoked marijuana reduced severe foot pain associated with HIV by a third, researchers report.

Study: Naps may cut heart deaths: Click here
Naps may do your heart good, researchers have found.

Parents blind to their children's weight, study finds: Click here
Many parents don't notice their children's excess weight -- bad news amid an obesity boom, researchers warn.

Plans for "Noah's Ark" seed vault unveiled: Click here
A "Doomsday" seed vault would protect today's seeds for a post-apocalyptic future.

Action video games sharpen vision, researchers say: Click here
A shoot-em-up game improved students' visual acuity 20 percent, according to scientists.

Cosmic blasts re-evaluated: Click here
They spit out as much energy in seconds as our Sun does in 10 billion years, but no one knows quite why.

Next-generation particle collider planned: Click here
A proposed accelerator would recreate conditions in the cosmos a trillionth of a second after its birth.

"Youth" pills, hawked online, win over top scientists: Click here
A company selling pills with "youth-prolonging" molecules has snagged a leading biologist and a Nobel Laureate as customers.

For some species, an upside to inbreeding: Click here
While not recommending it for humans, researchers found inbreeding may make for better parents.

Report spurs backing for global body on warming: Click here
Fear of runaway global warming pushed over 40 countries to support a bid for a body that could single out, and perhaps police, polluting nations.

How drugs cause hallucinations: Click here
Scientists say they have partly explained what causes the mind-bending effects of substances such as LSD.

Huge settlement unearthed near Stonehenge: Click here
The dwellings housed those who built the U.K.'s fabled stone monument, archaeologists say.

Dig deeper for Mars life, scientists urge: Click here
Probes haven't drilled deep enough to find the living cells that might lurk within the red planet, according to new research.

Most horrible sound: vomiting, study finds: Click here
An online experiment has produced a surprising answer to the age-old question of which sound is most awful.

Family loyalty driving sperm teamwork?: Click here
The promiscuity of rats and mice may lead to partnerships among their sex cells.

Cancer killed Napoleon, study concludes: Click here
A new investigation may put to rest nearly 200 years of lingering mysteries, a scientist reports.

Dino flew like a "biplane": Click here
The Wright brothers weren't the first to come up with their trademark, double-decker design for aircraft wings, if two scientists are correct.

Activation of brain area found to predict altruism: Click here
A study might help reveal how the desire to help others takes root in the brain.

Black diamonds come from space, scientists claim: Click here
Rare, dusky gems may have been parts of massive asteroids that struck Earth, scientists say.

Study: Nobel Prize may add two years to life: Click here
Fame alone, in­de­pen­d­ent­ly of wealth, seems to give a life-ex­tend­ing boost, two eco­n­o­m­ists re­port.

Mother ducks cooperate on parenting: Click here
For eider ducks, parenting is a negotiated joint venture, researchers say.

Earliest evidence of modern humans in Europe reported: Click here
Modern humans who first arose in Africa moved into Europe as early as about 45,000 years ago, a new study indicates.

Homer's Ithaca possibly found: Click here
British researchers say they may have solved a centuries-old mystery.

How the body becomes asymmetric: Click here
Tiny molecular motors in cells might help determine which organs go on which side, scientists claim.

"Superstrings" could raise cosmic clatter: Click here
Physicists are looking for huge, flopping loops of energy in space that could point the way to a theory of everything.

Brain's "shopping circuitry" mapped: Click here
Researchers say they can now predict whether someone will buy a product by checking their brain activity.

First stars may have been supergiants, researchers say: Click here
New observations are being cited to support a claim that astronomers have seen the universe's first bright objects.

Nightmares, suicidal tendencies linked: Click here
A study has found that nightmares are associated with suicidality.

Scans pinpoint brain regions that "see the future": Click here
Psychologists say they have found that the brain draws heavily on the past to imagine the future.

Bush administration proposes listing polar bear as "threatened": Click here
Environmentalists hailed the move as a possible major shift in direction for U.S. policy on global warming.

Even rats may dream in pictures, study finds: Click here
Animals, like humans, appear to have sleep imagery, according to scientists.

Surprises in comet dust: Click here
Dust gathered from a comet and brought to Earth tells a tale of a solar system that partially turned itself inside out, researchers say.

Mammals might have flown before birds, scientists claim: Click here
An ancient squirrel-like, gliding beast differed from all known orders of mammals, a study suggests.

"Trust hormone" now tied to "mind reading" -- and increasingly, autism: Click here
An unusual hormone has a growing list of documented powers, some of them surprising -- and intriguing to scientists hunting autism treatments.

Why laughter is contagious: Click here
You can catch it without asking for it, or even necessarily wanting it. Now, scientists say they have an idea of why.

Humor beats disease, researchers find: Click here
Scientists are reporting what they call most direct evidence yet that ability to laugh saves lives.

Hysteria is real, study finds: Click here
Hitherto unexplained cases of partial paralysis or numbness may have a physical cause after all, scientists say.

Drastic speedup in Arctic melting forecast: Click here
Arctic summers could be nearly ice-free by 2040, new research suggests -- much sooner than previous forecasts have predicted.

Water still flows on Mars, scientists say: Click here
NASA photos have revealed bright new deposits in two gullies on Mars.

Galactic evolution both "nature" and "nurture": Click here
Galaxies evolve as a result of influences from their surroundings, astronomers have found.

NASA announces lunar base plan: Click here
The space agency has announced plans to build a permanent lunar base by 2024.

City birds sing their own tune: Click here
Members of a bird species that have adapted to city life sing a shorter, sharper, faster song than their forest kin, a study has found.

Hard, brutal lives for Neanderthals: Click here
Neanderthal remains from Spain speak of malnutrition and possible cannibalism, researchers report.

Gene "archaeology" sheds light on male pregnancy: Click here
A gene might help explain why males get pregnant among members of the seahorse family, according to biologists.

Oldest known ritual: python worship, archaeologist says: Click here
Snake-worship in Stone-Age Africa might have been the first human ritual, if new findings are correct.

Genes may help predict infidelity, study finds: Click here
Could DNA tests tell you your risk of being cuckolded? Scientists think so.

Ancient sky calculator awes scientists: Click here
A 2,000-year-old computer could transform our view of the ancient world, according to researchers.

Success may be a "family affair": Click here
A study has led researchers to speculate that career success may be partly genetic.

Science teachers' association accused of oil company influence: Click here
After the top U.S. science teachers' group spurned some free DVDs, a controversy erupted over a reason they gave for the decision.

Backache? Sitting upright could be culprit: Click here
"Dignified" might not always equal healthy, a study suggests.

Pot may be good and bad, researchers propose: Click here
The truth about marijuana might be more complex than either its opponents or its champions suggest, some scientists argue.

We're more genetically diverse than thought: study: Click here
Research has found that at least one in 10 human genes vary in the number of copies of certain DNA sequences.

A step toward quantum computers: Click here
Physicists say they've taken a step toward making computers that work at blinding speeds thanks to the weird realities of quantum physics.

One cell makes almost any heart tissue, study finds: Click here
New research could be a stride forward for therapy to rebuild hearts, but its use of embryonic cells may stir controversy.

Molecules may "anchor" memories in brain: Click here
Our brains nail down memories by using special proteins as anchors, a study suggests.

Extreme black hole pushes spin "limit": Click here
A black hole's blindingly fast rotation could help explain some strange phenomena, physicists say.

Monkeys wearing perfume? Study investigates: Click here
Some wild spider monkeys dab on a chewed-leaf paste that may act as a sort of cologne, researchers say.

Red wine ingredient found to boost endurance: Click here
A substance earlier linked to long life in animals, also "re-programs" muscle to double endurance, a mouse study indicates.

"Dark energy" an age-old phenomenon, study finds: Click here
A weird force pushing our universe outward has existed since near the beginning, astrophysicists say.

Neanderthal DNA partially sequenced: Click here
Scientists have preliminarily mapped out when the stocky human cousins diverged from our species.

Cleansing nuclear fallout from the body: Click here
A U.S. government scientist envisions purging the body of fallout with a compound from crab shells.

Physical activity might explain vets' risk for wasting disease: Click here
A report has found "limited and suggestive evidence" that military service raises the risk for Lou Gehrig's disease.

Gay men likelier to gamble addictively, study suggests: Click here
A small study may fuel a charged debate over why homosexuals, as growing evidence suggests, suffer addictions unusually often.

Laser reveals hidden earthquake "time bombs": Click here
Using an aircraft-mounted laser, scientists say they've found quake-prone fault lines concealed by woods.

Mystery of sudden infant deaths may be solved: researchers: Click here
"Sudden infant death syndrome" results from abnormalities in the brain stem, a primitive brain region, a study suggests.

Pollution may impair brain development worldwide, researchers say: Click here
A silent pandemic may have boosted the number of retarded people while sapping the ranks of the intelligent, a study claims.

Saturn moon resembles Earth at life’s birth, study finds: Click here
Hazy skies on early Earth, similar to those on Saturn’s moon Titan, could have provided the ingredients for life, chemists say.

Testosterone levels dropping, research finds: Click here
Scientists cited a "substantial," unexplained drop in American men's testosterone levels in the past two decades.

Almost no more seafood after 2048 at current rates, study warns: Click here
Seafood will be all but a memory if fishing and pollution go on at current rates, a study predicts.

Antimatter rays studied as medical treatment: Click here
Scientists are studying what could arguably be the first use of an exotic substance, antimatter, in medical treatment.

Brain scans examine "speaking in tongues": Click here
People lose control of their speech in a mysterious religious practice, brain scientists report.

Study: red wine substance counteracts bad diet, extends life: Click here
A compound found to extend lifespans in various small animals, does so even in mice on fatty diets, researchers say.

More evidence for Neanderthal-human mixing claimed: Click here
A study has concluded that some long-ignored fossils are blends of human and Neanderthal.

The newborn mind's not-quite "blank slate": Click here
New findings may shed light on the old nature-nurture debate, researchers say.

Elephants recognize mirror image; elephant ancestor found: Click here
Two new studies make strides in elephant biology, according to scientists.

Report: dinos took repeat pounding before final exit: Click here
A new account of the reptiles' demise demotes a famous meteor impact to a secondary role.

Oldest complex organic molecules found in fossils: Click here
Ancient molecules from creatures known as sea lilies offer a new way to map evolution, scientists say.

Vampires shown mathematically impossible: Click here
Researchers have laid to rest one source of Halloween nightmares.

A wild, and gay, kingdom: Click here
Nature is prancing, fluttering and altogether teeming with gay animals, say organizers of the first museum exhibition on the topic.

Strange, underworld microbes raise hopes for alien life: Click here
Bacteria found deep in a gold mine rely on energy from radioactive uranium to live, scientists say.

Pot against Alzheimer's?: Click here
Research suggests the widely maligned drug may protect against a devastating brain illness.

Facial expressions may be inherited: study: Click here
The blind make similar facial expressions as their relatives, researchers have found.

Yes, we have no blue bananas: Click here
Color perception depends partly on expectations, a study suggests.

The science of dough: Click here
The squishy bread ingredient has become an object of engineering studies.

Paper challenges bedrock law of nature: Click here
The conservation of energy law states, in essence, that there's no free lunch. But is there?

Tiny genome may be melting away, study suggests: Click here
Researchers have identified the smallest known genome, and say it may suffer a strange fate.

Earth's wobbles may explain some extinctions, research finds: Click here
Wobbles in Earth's orbit may explain a puzzling cycle of extinctions, scientists say.

Strongest evidence yet that planets form from "disks": Click here
The philosopher Emmanuel Kant got it right 200 years ago, researchers proclaim.

For ants, one playbook fits many situations: Click here
Scientists are interested in the "algorithms," or step-by-step rules, by which organisms make decisions.

Fitness, childhood IQ may affect old-age brain function: Click here
Mental function in old age depends more on fitness than on childhood IQ, a study has found.

Computers help churn out cancer remedies: Click here
Scientists are working on ways to make computers churn out new cancer treatments, with no need to figure out how they work.

Computers help churn out new cancer remedies: Click here
Scientists are working on ways to make computers churn out cancer remedies, with no need to figure out how they work.

Burglars found to be as skilled as pilots: Click here
Burglars are so good at robbing houses, they should be regarded as experts in their field, researchers say.

Scientists attack mysteries of Mona Lisa: Click here
For centuries she has given us mysterious looks. Now researchers claim to have cracked some mysteries of the painting itself.

Physicists seek to put one thing in two places: Click here
Researchers say they've made an object move just by watching it, which is inspiring them to a still bolder project.

Earth hottest in 5,000 years, study suggests: Click here
A further slight increase will produce dangerous sea level rises and species exterminations, scientists warn.

Chemistry defeats the "Godzilla of odors": Click here
Chemicals known as isonitriles have a stench so vile, its victims claim to suffer mental scars for a while.

"Lucy's Baby": pre-human fossil dazzles scientists: Click here
Human-like below the waist, ape-like above, an ancient tot is stirring up the study of our origins.

Woman gets "bionic arm": Click here
A new device is meant to let amputees move artificial arms just by thinking.

Ancient writing system said to be found: Click here
Archaeologists report the oldest writing system known in the New World.

Planet "lighter than cork" baffles astronomers: Click here
An unknown mechanism may heat some planets internally, puffing them up, researchers say.

Neanderthals hung on tough, study finds: Click here
Neanderthals didn't give up on existence easily, scientists report.

Arctic meltdown?: Click here
Arctic sea ice is hitting record lows, probably due to global warming, NASA researchers say.

Voices in your head might be good: Click here
Psychologists have launched a study to learn why some people consider voices in their heads helpful.

Green tea may save lives, researchers find: Click here
A Japanese study links the beverage to lower death rates.

Baby bugs team up for sex scam: Click here
The moment they're born, beetles of one species join forces for a curious drill.

"Vegetative" patient can think, study suggests: Click here
Brain imaging peers into the inner lives of people thought to be totally unresponsive.

Eye photos might deter crime, police say following research: Click here
An unusual experiment is the inspiration for a new police campaign.

Paintings really can be "heard," scientist says: Click here
It seems the artist Kandinsky wasn't talking nonsense when he said his pictures could be heard.

Livable worlds abound, simulations find:: Click here
Computer studies indicate Earth-like planets, warm and wet enough for life, should be plentiful.

Lost planet, or vastest system?: Click here
A planet thought to drift alone may instead help form the widest known planetary system, scientists say.

Gene fights cancer by aging us, studies find: Click here
Biologists say they've found a gene that protects against cancer by suppressing cell division -- making us age faster.

Protest over new planet definition: Click here
More than 300 scientists have signed a petition protesting a redefinition of "planet" adopted officially last month.

Study: Most dinosaurs still unaccounted for: Click here
Researchers say 71 percent of dinosaur types have yet to be discovered.

Invisible 9/11 victims: the unborn: Click here
Stress over the 2001 attacks apparently triggered hundreds of miscarriages if not more, studies have found.

NASA awards contract for moon craft: Click here
Lockheed Martin Corp. won a contract to build a manned lunar spacecraft.

Bird attacks a force in human evolution?: Click here
Prehistoric raptors may have routinely targeted our ancestors for meals, scientists say.

A trip to cannibal country: Click here
A journalist ventures into one of the last places on Earth where humans eat each other, and like it.

Researchers create permanently "happy" mice: Click here
A breed of permanently "cheerful" mice is providing hope for depression treatment, scientists report.

Pluto no longer a planet: Click here
A newly adopted definition of "planet" shuts out a longtime member of the planetary club.

New stem cell technique would avoid killing embryos: Click here
Scientists say they've managed to grow human embryonic stem cells without destroying embryos.

Jilted dogs feel intense jealousy, study finds: Click here
New research challenges long-held scientific beliefs about animal emotions.

Ants' Olympic jumps caught on tape: Click here
New high-speed videoclips show how certain ants manage to jump 40 times their own length.

Stupendous crash proves "dark matter" exists, astronomers claim: Click here
The most forceful known collision in the universe has torn apart normal and dark matter, researchers say.

"Artificial muscles" to liven TV color: Click here
Scientists are exploring a technology that they say could produce more lifelike colors.

A gene that makes us human?: Click here
A newfound gene might help explain why our brains are so big, researchers say.

Bringing back the extinct: Click here
Mouse experiments are reviving the idea that some extinct species can be resurrected.

Now downloadable: "music" of the stars: Click here
The an­cient Greeks be­lieved the stars par­t­i­ci­pate in a sort of ce­l­es­t­ial sym­phony. They had it wrong—but not to­tally.

"Toxic environment" making kids fat, study claims: Click here
Unhealthy, addictive food is behind today's obesity epidemic, a scientist says.

No black holes after all?: Click here
One of the universe's brightest and furthest known objects might not be a black hole as traditionally thought, a study suggests.

New robot rolls on ball: Click here
A newly built robot balances and moves on a metal ball instead of legs or wheels.

Driverless cars to unclog traffic: Click here
Authorities in Europe are pushing a plan to ease traffic and pollution through automated vehicles.

Human-animal mixing going too far, report says: Click here
An organization is warning that the creation of fused organisms raises grave ethical questions.

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