60-Second Science

Babies Already Have An Accent

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:51:08 -0500

A study in the journal Current Biology finds that babies, because they listen in the womb, cry in distinctive ways that reflect the language spoken by their parents. Karen Hopkin reports, with commentary by Christopher Hopkin.

Good Sprinters Have Long Toes

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:24:08 -0500

A study in the Journal of Experimental Biology finds that successful sprinters have longer toes and Achilles tendons that produce less leverage than non-athletes of similar height. Karen Hopkin reports

Sneezes Provoke Fears Beyond Illness

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 08:00:08 -0500

A study in the journal Psychological Science finds that people who hear someone nearby sneezing become more concerned in general, not just about catching a cold or flu. Karen Hopkin reports

Sugar Negates Worm's Life-Extending Mutation

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:55:08 -0500

A study with roundworms in the journal Cell Metabolism found that a diet rich in sugar offset a mutation that ordinarily doubled the worms' life spans. Rachel Kremen reports

Apnea Treatment Improves Golf Game

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:55:08 -0500

A study presented at CHEST 2009, the meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, found that golfers with apnea who got treatment lowered their handicaps by as much as three strokes. Steve Mirsky reports

Dogs Can't Smell a Liar

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:16:08 -0500

A study in the journal Behavioural Processes finds that dogs cannot reliably tell if someone is fibbing to them. Karen Hopkin reports

Resuscitating Lungs for Transplant

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:08 -0500

A study in the journal Science Translational Medicine details a new procedure for making damaged, donated lungs functional, potentially doubling the number of lungs available for transplant. Cynthia Graber reports

Clean Smell Promotes Good Deeds

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:39:08 -0500

A study in the journal Psychological Science finds that people in a room recently sprayed with citrus-scented cleanser were fairer and more generous than a control group. Cynthia Graber reports

Dieting and the TV-to-Treadmill Ratio

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:27:08 -0500

A study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine finds that the ratio of TV sets to exercise equipment in the home is predictive of weight loss success. Karen Hopkin reports

Household Hints to Halt Heating

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:55:08 -0500

A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that Americans could easily cut carbon emissions by more than France's entire output. Karen Hopkin reports

Less Fungus among Us Warm-Blooded

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:15:08 -0500

A study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases finds that one major advantage of being warm-blooded is that the great majority of fungi cannot infect us. Karen Hopkin reports

Red Wine with Fish? Iron-ic Answer

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:23:08 -0500

In a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers found that red wine only clashes with fish if the wine has high levels of iron. Steve Mirsky reports

Light All Night Not Alright

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:35:08 -0500

In a study presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, researchers found that mice that were exposed to light all night long showed signs of depression. Karen Hopkin reports

Web Boosts Grandpa's Brain

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:18:08 -0500

In a study presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, researchers reported that older adults exposed to Web surfing for the first time showed increased brain activity in regions associated with language and working memory. Karen Hopkin reports

Brain's Speech Center Finally Talks

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:05:08 -0500

In a study in the journal Science, researchers analyzed the inner workings of Broca's area, long known as the brain's speech center, in pre-op brain surgery patients. Cynthia Graber reports

Carbonation Has a Taste

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:05:08 -0500

In a study in the journal Science, researchers found that the taste buds for sensing sour also respond to carbonated beverages, because the fizz gets turned into chemical components, one of which is protons--basically simple, sour acid. Karen Hopkin reports

Beating Heart Tissue from Stem Cells

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:57:08 -0500

In a study in the journal Science, researchers explain how they used mouse embryonic stem cells and microchip technology to create heart muscle tissue that actually beats. Cynthia Graber reports

Celeb Vaccine Wars: Peet Beats Maher

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:02:08 -0500

Comedian Bill Maher advises against vaccinations. But actress Amanda Peet--and Dr. Bill Frist--have it right: vaccines are good. Steve Mirsky comments

Odd Spider Prefers Salad

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:04:08 -0500

In a study in the journal Current Biology, researchers report the discovery of an unusual spider, Bagheera kiplingi, that eschews meat and chews acacia tips. Karen Hopkin reports

Antioxidants-Diabetes Connection

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:15:08 -0500

In a study in the journal Cell Metabolism, some mice given antioxidants were more likely to become diabetic, because free radicals help muscle cells respond to insulin. Karen Hopkin reports

Genome: Now in 3-D!

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 10:03:08 -0500

In a study in the journal Science, researchers report the mapping of the three-dimensional structure of the human genome, and the finding that the cell's nucleus is divided into two regions, one where DNA goes to get expressed. Cynthia Graber reports

Pill May Change Attraction

Thu, 8 Oct 2009 09:50:08 -0500

In a study in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution, researchers note that the birth control pill may change a woman's choice in whom she finds attractive. Cynthia Graber reports

Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 06:58:08 -0500

The 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Thomas Steitz and Ada Yonath for studies of the protein-manufacturing ribosome, with implications for antibiotic development. Steve Mirsky reports

Nobel Prize in Physics

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 06:56:08 -0500

The 2009 Nobel Prize in physics goes to Charles Kao of Standard Communications Labs in England and the Chinese University of Hong Kong for the invention of practical optical fiber communication, and George Smith and Willard Boyle of Bell Labs in New Jersey, for inventing the charge-coupled device, the CCD, making digital cameras possible. Steve Mirsky reports

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 07:03:08 -0500

The 2009 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine goes to Harvard's Jack Szostak, Johns Hopkins's Carol Greider and Elizabeth Blackburn at U.C. San Francisco, for their work on telomeres and telomerase. Steve Mirsky reports

Truth Is That Parents Lie to Kids

Sun, 4 Oct 2009 19:00:08 -0500

A study in the Journal of Moral Education finds that parents lie to children regularly, to influence behavior

Ig Nobel Prizes Awarded

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 09:25:08 -0500

On the eve of the Nobel Prize announcements, the Ig Nobel Prizes were awarded at Harvard, for studies into knuckle-cracking and other vital medical and scientific research. Karen Hopkin retorts

Odds Favor Drunk Trauma Victims

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:15:08 -0500

A study in the journal American Surgeon finds that trauma victims who were inebriated at the time of their injury have higher survival rates than their sober counterparts. Rachel Kremen reports

The Great Depression Increased Life Expectancy

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:05:08 -0500

A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that the population life expectancy actually increased during the Great Depression. Karen Hopkin reports

Champagne Bubbles Key to Taste

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:53:08 -0500

A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that champagne's bursting bubbles provide aromatic compounds that add to the taste. Adam Hinterthuer reports

Teen Inventors Fight Tinnitus

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:03:08 -0500

Irish teenagers Eimear O'Carroll and Rhona Togher have developed a treatment they hope will help people with tinnitus, an unpleasant ringing in the ears. Cynthia Graber reports

Antennae Key to Butterfly Navigation

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:53:08 -0500

A study in the journal Science shows that monarch butterflies' sun-related directional sensing is governed by antennae, not the brain. Cynthia Graber reports

Water on the Moon

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:05:08 -0500

Studies in the journal Science report that instruments on three different spacecraft have found evidence for widespread trace amounts of water on the moon. Karen Hopkin reports

Drink Now, Pay Later

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:30:08 -0500

A study with animals in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that alcohol abuse in adolescence leads to a lifetime of poor decision-making skills. Karen Hopkin reports

Scary Music Scarier with Eyes Shut

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:45:08 -0500

In the journal Public Library of Science ONE, researchers report that listening to scary music with eyes shut may intensify the emotional experience. Cynthia Graber reports

Torture Interferes with Memory

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:56:08 -0500

In the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, psychologist Share O'Mara notes that torture can interfere with the brain's memory retrieval apparatus, making it counterproductive to the aim of producing useful information. Karen Hopkin reports

Mini T. Rex Recovered

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:27:08 -0500

In a study in the journal Science, researchers announce the discovery of a dinosaur 125 million years older and one ninetieth the size of T. Rex, but having virtually the same body plan as the giant dino. Cynthia Graber reports

Salty Origins for Early Earth Biomolecules

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:09:08 -0500

In a study presented at the European Planetary Science Conference in Potsdam, researchers proposed that salt deposits on the early Earth's volcanic coasts enabled the conversion of amino acids into other important molecules for the start of life. Cynthia Graber reports

Gene Therapy Cures Color-Blind Monkeys

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:55:08 -0500

In a study in the journal Nature, researchers report that they have used gene therapy to cure a form of color-blindess in adult squirrel monkeys that lack a visual pigment. Karen Hopkin reports

Hairdressers Hear Health Secrets

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:50:08 -0500

A report in the Journal of Applied Gerontology shows that elderly people often discuss health issues with hairdressers, who could encourage clients to seek medical attention. Karen Hopkin reports

Tree Electricity Runs Nano-Gadget

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:43:08 -0500

A report in the journal IEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology shows that maple trees generate a small, but measurable amount of electricity, which can power tiny devices. Karen Hopkin reports

Prehistoric Human-Fashioned Fibers Found

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:43:08 -0500

A report in the journal Science announces the finding of the oldest known human-fashioned threads, left in a cave by the Caucasus mountains about 34,000 years ago. Cynthia Graber reports

Expedition Finds World War II Navy Wreck

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:47:08 -0500

A National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration expedition has located a naval vessel lost off North Carolina during World War II's Battle of the Atlantic. Steve Mirsky reports

On-the-Job Chimps Use Multiple Tools

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 07:40:08 -0500

A study in the American Journal of Primatology found that chimps wield different tools, each with a specific purpose, when attempting to catch tasty ants. Karen Hopkin reports

Lie Detection with Handwriting

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 10:12:08 -0500

A study in the Journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology shows that handwriting tests could give polygraphs a challenge for lie detection. Cynthia Graber reports

Tuning In to the Insect Philharmonic

Mon, 7 Sep 2009 09:58:08 -0500

Allison Beall of the Marshlands Conservancy in Rye, N.Y., led a twilight walk on September 5th to tune in to the insect sounds of the evening. Become more aware of the nocturnal symphony and, in the New York metropolitan area, help scientists count the insects during the "Cricket Crawl" on September 11th. Steve Mirsky reports

Freeing the Mind to Forget

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 00:05:08 -0500

Young brains can forget painful memories, but old ones tend not to. An animal study in the journal Science finds that it may be possible to restore the old brain to its younger, more pliable state. Karen Hopkin reports

Whistle While You Wing

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 07:50:08 -0500

A study in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B finds that pigeon wing-flapping produces distinct whistles, which can warn flock-mates, when merely taking off or when actively escaping predators. Karen Hopkin reports

Making Music for Monkey Minds

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 09:56:08 -0500

A study in the journal Biology Letters finds that music based on monkey's own calls has similar effects on them that human music has on us. Cynthia Graber reports

Recession: Just What the Doctor Ordered?

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 07:06:08 -0500

A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal finds that recessions in wealthy countries can lead to better health habits, as people spend less on alcohol, tobacco and rich food. Adam Hinterthuer reports

Astronauts Rose from Humble Starts

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:48:08 -0500

Astronauts Kevin Ford, Jose Hernandez and the rest of the STS-128 Discovery space shuttle crew have fascinating life stories and solid science and engineering educations. Steve Mirsky reports

Fido's Fur Fated by 3 Genes

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:05:08 -0500

A study in the journal Science finds that just three genes control the wide variety of fur types found on all different breeds of dogs. Karen Hopkin reports

New Exoplanet Shouldn't Exist

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:01:08 -0500

A report in the journal Nature cites the discovery of a new planet, WASP-18b, which challenges assumptions about tidal interactions--it's too close and orbiting too fast not to have collided with its star, according to current knowledge. Cynthia Graber reports

Tour Our Oblate Spheroid with The Geek Atlas

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:19:08 -0500

The Geek Atlas describes 128 mostly out-of-the-way tourist destinations for people who love science, technology and their history. Cynthia Graber reports

Disappearing Bees Have Devastated Ribosomes

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:39:08 -0500

A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by May Berenbaum and colleagues finds that bee colony collapse disorder seems to be related to bees' ribosomes breaking down, which keeps them from making the proteins they need to deal with stress and disease. Steve Mirsky reports

That's No Vestigial Organ, That's My Appendix

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:45:08 -0500

A study in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology finds that many more animals have appendixes than was thought, and that the appendix is not merely a remnant of a digestive organ called the cecum. All of which means that the appendix might not be so useless. Steve Mirsky reports

Rice Really Rises to the Occasion

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:05:08 -0500

A study in the journal Nature reports the discovery of rapid-growth genes in rice varieties that can withstand flooding by quickly rising above the new water line. Engineering other strains to include the "snorkel" genes could help rice yields. Karen Hopkin reports

Round and Round We Go

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:57:08 -0500

A study in the journal Current Biology verifies the proposition that people in a featureless environment will wind up walking in circles. Karen Hopkin reports

Bite Back on World Mosquito Day

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:10:08 -0500

August 20th is World Mosquito Day, an effort to remind the public about the continuing threat of malaria and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Steve Mirsky reports

Phone Networks Reveal Relationships

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:15:08 -0500

A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that researchers deduce social networks with great accuracy simply by analyzing mobile phone use. Karen Hopkin reports