News Scans

In Brief

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Scientists find more proof that sex is good.  Worms that mate rather than reproduce asexually mix genes, which allows them to adapt quicker to environmental changes.

A major study conducted on twins shows that environmental factors may be at least as important as genes in causing autism.

Astronomers spy one of the brightest and longest gamma-ray bursts ever seen, caused by a black hole swallowing a star.


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The six crew members of the International Space Station prepared to abandon ship when NASA spotted a piece of space junk hurtling toward them at 29,000 miles per hour. 

Because of their “always on” technology, set-top DVRs consume $3 billion of electricity a year—enough juice to power the entire state of Maryland. Cable companies have resisted building in a “sleep” mode, citing costs. 

Scientific American Magazine Vol 305 Issue 3This article was published with the title “News Scans” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 305 No. 3 ()
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican092011-3SW4iC2dRTIuwJcE4a5Cyr

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