Monthly Archives: May 2004

A new study using NASA’s orbiting Chandra X-ray Observatory seems to confirm the existence of dark energy, which may have implications for the ultimate fate of the universe. Dark energy is a mysterious force pushing the universe apart as well … Continue reading →

Researchers have long been concerned that using frozen sperm instead of fresh to create test-tube babies might reduce the chances of a successful pregnancy for an infertile couple. But a Mayo Clinic study presented last week at the annual meeting … Continue reading →

Astronomers from Pennsylvania State University may have taken the first photo of a planet circling a distant star. Though many planets outside our solar system have already been discovered, this would be the first time another world has ever been … Continue reading →

Plastic trash washing up on the remotest islands and accumulating on sea floors is, unfortunately, nothing new, but British researchers have found that even microscopic plastic fibers and fragments are contaminating ocean waters and sediments. In the May 7 Science, … Continue reading →

Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter, has almost become a household word, thanks to antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft, which work to increase serotonin levels in the brain. Yet its precise role in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain … Continue reading →

Israeli researchers have discovered what could be the oldest-known remnants from fires made by humans, suggesting mankind controlled fire nearly 790,000 years ago. In a study published in the April 30 Science, Naama Goren-Inbar of Hebrew University and colleagues report … Continue reading →

It appears there’s a reason why watching someone fumble a ball or give the wrong answer on “Jeopardy” can be so annoying. Dutch researchers report in the May issue of Nature Neuroscience that people’s brains react the same way, whether … Continue reading →