Science News

From crystal skulls claimed to be from the lost city of Atlantis (or aliens) to a runestone said to have been carved by Vikings and even a "missing link" hoax, here are six artifacts, widely believed to be forgeries, whi...

As with any particle accelerator designed to explore a new energy frontier, the operators at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have to take the machine up to its full operating potential step by step. Following the start o...

In July, scientists at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) reported the discovery of the pentaquark, a long-sought particle first predicted to exist in the 1960s as a consequence of the theory of elementary particles and the...

Two scientific papers inspired a media firestorm shortly after Katrina, polarizing popular opinion and, to some extent, scientists themselves, on whether global warming was in some way responsible for Katrina.

Few things are more stressful than dealing with a sick child. From discussing treatment with a pediatrician to complying with day care policies, a parent must consider many factors when making a decision about their chil...

A researcher says he has solved a cell division mystery in a way that will intrigue the makers of cancer-fighting drugs.

One of the most common and costly diseases faced by the dairy industry is bovine mastitis, a potentially fatal bacterial inflammation of the mammary gland. Widespread use of antibiotics to treat the disease is often blam...

Experts show that while Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, a viral respiratory illness, is infecting less people, it has a higher mortality rate and affects a specific target population when compared to Severe Acute Respi...

Respiratory syncytial virus, which is the leading cause of childhood respiratory hospitalizations among premature babies, can be detected from the clothes worn by caregivers/visitors who are visiting infants in the neona...

Stanford University researchers have developed a folding lens that turns a cell phone into a microscope. It's made with simple materials (paper and glass balls) for under a dollar. Watch a mite in action through: ://.fol...

By teasing apart the structure of an enzyme vital to the parasites that cause toxoplasmosis and malaria, scientists have identified a potentially 'drugable' target that could prevent parasites from entering and exiting h...

Solar explosions can threaten power grids even in areas near the equator, places long thought safe from such disruptions from the sun, say researchers who studied a weird flow of electricity pulsing above the equatorial ...

Thanks in part to screening technologies like colonoscopy; colon cancer is often detected in its earliest stages. Researchers have now found a way to screen blood samples for molecular traces that indicate the presence o...

New research shows that a family of cancer drugs currently tested in patient trials can induce neurological changes in mice. The findings underscore the need for more research to determine whether these compounds can ent...

The first use of biological proteins to maneuver chemical polymers has created nerve-like structures that could serve as a gentler interface between nerves and prosthetic devices.

A few weeks ago, we put up a "Fermi problem Friday" post about the odds of being struck by lightning. That post was met with some criticism in the comments section, so it's currently down while we revise it to reflect ou...

Therapies based on hormones that make us more trusting enhance our natural placebo effect - a finding that could alter the way clinical trials are conducted

With increasing concern about concussions from sports, some players have started wearing electronic sensors to measure head impacts. But a new study has found that some of the sensors for non-helmeted sports are not fast...

The molecular switches regulating human cell growth do a great job of replacing cells that die during the course of a lifetime. But when they misfire, life-threatening cancers can occur. Research has now revealed a new e...

Individuals who received the flu vaccine were protected for up to 6 months post-vaccination, the duration of most flu seasons, according to a new study.

A new guideline aims to ensure that pain during vaccination is minimized in both children and adults.

For pregnant women who are at low risk of complications giving birth, the risk of newborn death and maternal complications is similar for obstetric deliveries by family physicians and obstetricians, according to a large ...