Scientists are discovering a surprising bright side for some people with asthma: They are less susceptible to COVID-19. The very same immune system proteins that trigger excess mucus production and…
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How I decided on a second COVID-19 booster shot
Booster shots against COVID-19 are once again on my mind. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that older people and immunocompromised people are eligible for a second booster shot…
Pterosaurs may have had brightly colored feathers on their heads
Pterosaurs not only had feathers, but also were flamboyantly colorful, scientists say. That could mean that feathers — and vibrant displays of mate-seeking plumage — may have originated as far…
Dog breed is a surprisingly poor predictor of individual behavior
Turns out we may be unfairly stereotyping dogs. Modern breeds are shaped around aesthetics: Chihuahuas’ batlike ears, poodles’ curly fur, dachshunds’ hot dog shape. But breeds are frequently associated with…
Dog breed is a surprisingly poor predictor of individual behavior
Turns out we may be unfairly stereotyping dogs. Modern breeds are shaped around aesthetics: Chihuahuas’ batlike ears, poodles’ curly fur, dachshunds’ hot dog shape. But breeds are frequently associated with…
Mom’s voice holds a special place in kids’ brains. That changes for teens
Young kids’ brains are especially tuned to their mothers’ voices. Teenagers’ brains, in their typical rebellious glory, are most decidedly not. That conclusion, described April 28 in the Journal of…
Joggers naturally pace themselves to conserve energy even on short runs
For many recreational runners, taking a jog is a fun way to stay fit and burn calories. But it turns out an individual has a tendency to settle into the…
50 years ago, scientists were seeking the cause of psoriasis
Cyclic AMP and psoriasis — Science News, April 29, 1972 [A team of dermatologists] discovered that cyclic AMP levels in psoriasis lesions are significantly lower than in healthy skin.… [The…
Leonardo da Vinci’s rule for how trees branch was close, but wrong
Leonardo da Vinci was wrong about trees. The multitalented, Renaissance genius wrote down his “rule of trees” over 500 years ago. It described the way he thought that trees branch.…
Antibiotics diminish babies’ immune response to key vaccines
Taking antibiotics in the first two years of life can prevent babies from developing a robust immune response to certain vaccines. The new finding provides another cautionary tale against overusing…
