Humans

  1. Microbes

    Scientists Say: Virus

    A virus must take over a living cell's machinery to make more viruses.

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  2. Health & Medicine

    Fentanyl deaths have spiked among U.S. kids and teens. Here’s what to know

    A pediatrician discusses how teens can protect themselves and their friends from this extremely deadly drug.

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  3. Humans

    How fingerprints form is no longer a mystery

    A mathematical theory proposed in the 1950s helps explain how fingerprint patterns such as arches, loops and whorls arise.

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  4. Chemistry

    Scientists Say: PFAS

    Non-stick coatings, stain-resistant cloth and other common materials leach long-lived PFAS into soil and water.

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  5. Brain

    Ingredients in popular snack foods can make them addictive

    Researchers find that highly processed foods rich in sugar and added fat may be as addictive as tobacco.

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  6. Health & Medicine

    How to be heat-safe when playing sports

    Protecting young athletes from overheating is getting more important as climate change turns up the temperature.

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  7. Genetics

    Experiment: Are fingerprint patterns inherited?

    Let’s investigate whether fingerprint patterns are created randomly or whether they are influenced by genetics.

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  8. Chemistry

    Chemists have unlocked the secrets of long-lasting Roman concrete

    By searching ancient texts and ruins, scientists found a concrete recipe that could make buildings stronger — and help address climate change.

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  9. Agriculture

    Native Amazonians make rich soils — and ancient people may have too

    Modern Amazonians make nutrient-rich soil from ash, food scraps and burns. The soil strongly resembles ancient “dark earth” found in the region.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    Scientists Say: Kidney

    The kidneys remove waste and excess water from the blood, forming urine.

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  11. Psychology

    There’s a real upside to knowing you could be wrong

    We’re often certain that what we believe is true. But questioning those beliefs, as Galileo did, can help us learn better — and even perform better on tests.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    Let’s learn about allergies

    Allergies are caused by the body’s immune system overreacting to harmless substances.

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