Humans

Health & Medicine

Scientists identify a long-sought by-product of some drinking water treatments

Chlorine-based water treatments create many by-products, but one has been elusive. Its identification sets the stage for studying its health effects.

Health & Medicine

Vaccines, fluoride, raw milk: How RFK Jr.’s views may shape public health

If confirmed as head of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy could influence U.S. policy on vaccines, drugs and food safety.

Health & Medicine

Youth tobacco use has gone down, but the work isn’t over

In 2024, tobacco use among middle and high school students reached a record low, but new vapes and other products with nicotine keep coming.

Health & Medicine

Keeping weight off may be stymied by fat cells’ ‘memory’ of obesity

Some genetic changes in fat cells don’t go away after weight loss, a study in mice and human cells suggests.

Health & Medicine

50 years ago, U.S. drinking water sparked health and safety concerns

The discovery of potential cancer-causing agents in tap water led to the Safe Drinking Water Act — a law that continues protecting public health.

Health & Medicine

22 pesticides show links to prostate cancer

The new finding comes from an analysis of pesticide use and prostate cancer incidence in over 3,100 U.S. counties.

Psychology

Researchers seek, and find, a magical illusion for the ears

A contest to design a sound-only magic trick could help psychologists learn about differences between visual and auditory perception.

Health & Medicine

Lizard spit can help detect a rare pancreatic tumor

A protein found in Gila monster saliva flags tiny pancreatic tumors in PET scans.

Anthropology

Fossil teeth hint at a surprisingly early start to humans’ long childhoods

Signs of temporarily delayed tooth development in the skull of an ancient Homo species youth spark debate about the origins of humanlike growth.

Anthropology

How does a fossil become a superstar? Just ask Lucy.

Geologic good fortune, skilled scientific scrutiny and a catchy name turned Lucy into an evolutionary icon.

Health & Medicine

The virus behind an outbreak in Brazil can spread from mother to fetus

Transmission of Oropouche virus to the womb has been confirmed in two stillbirths and one birth with congenital anomalies that occurred in Brazil.

Health & Medicine

A twisted protein sheds light on chronic wasting disease in deer

The detailed structure of a misfolded protein from a diseased deer could help explain why the disease hasn’t made the leap to humans.