SSS 2010-09-01

Theres been an unexpected development in our understanding of drug resistance in bacteria. The accepted scenario was a simple case of evolutionary selection. In a bacterial population exposed to a killer drug, a few lucky individuals might have a gen

SSS 2010-09-02

We all know that elephants arent really scared of mice. But a new study shows that theyre really not crazy about something even smaller: ants. In fact, elephants dislike ants so much that they avoid acacia trees that harbor the tiny, six-legged necta

SSS 2010-09-03

Diseases can spread quickly. Someone with a cold infects a few casual contacts, who in turn infect others. Ideas can also spread that way, along so-called random networks. But Damon Centola at MIT says that ideas and beliefs spread faster and more ef

SSS 2010-09-06

In 1980, a scientist looking at bone fragments under an ultraviolet microscope noticed the bones were glowing greena hallmark of the antibiotic tetracycline. The drug latches onto calcium and gets deposited in bone. Nothing unusual. Except these bone

SSS 2010-09-07

Always finding excuses to skip the gym? Congratsyou might be able to blame your genes. Because the mere desire to exercise may be inherited, at least in mice. So says a study in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The experiment started b

SSS 2010-09-08

This is Scientific Americans 60-Second Science, Im Molly Webster. Got a minute? Some consumers buy organically grown foods because they believe the products are healthier, tastier and better for the environment. But is this assessment true? To find o

SSS 2010-09-09

This is Scientific American's 60-Second Science. Im Karen Hopkin. This will just take a minute. The first time you visit your boyfriends place, he no doubt tidies up, to give you the illusion that he doesnt live like an animal. Well, animals, too, ca

SSS 2010-09-10

This is Scientific American's 60-Second Science. I'm Christopher Intagliata. Got a minute? Bookshops and DVD stores are closing up. No surprise, because who would pay more at the store when you can get it cheaper online? Well, a bunch of Caltech unde

SSS 2010-09-13

This is Scientific Americans 60-Second Science. Im Christopher Intagliata. Got a minute? On September 10th we reported that people will pay more for snacks within reach. Now, another finding for the shopping science fileswhen you're trying to decide

SSS 2010-09-14

This is Scientific Americans 60-Second Science. Im Cynthia Graber. This will just take a minute. We expect scientists and doctors to be upfront about whether papers they publish may line their purses. But according to a recent study in the Archives o

SSS 2010-09-15

This is Scientific Americans 60-Second Science, Im Cynthia Graber. This will just take a minute. Glaciers slowly grind their way over mountains and plains, moving immense boulders and carving out fjords. Thats true in temperate regions, where glacier

SSS 2010-09-16

You know how grandma's always criticizing your new haircut or choice of clothing? Well, it might not hurt to listen. Because old folks who can't hold their tongues may give the best advice. Thats according to a study in the Journal of Experimental So

SSS 2010-09-17

This is Scientific American's 60-Second Science. I'm Steve Mirsky. Got a minute? Baseball players sometimes cheat! One popular method has been to cork the bat. You drill out some of the core of the bat, and replace the heavy wood with light cork. You

SSS 2010-09-20

This is Scientific Americans 60-Second Science, Im Cynthia Graber. Thisll just take a minute. Songbirds sing to entice mates, and the timing of those songs is often regulated by sunlight. But that timing is getting thrown offby streetlamps. Thats acc

SSS 2010-09-21

This is Scientific Americans 60-Second Science, Im Steve Mirsky. Got a minute? Theres a cool new Web siteand iPhone appthat could come in handy in a wide variety of circumstances. Its called Time Tree. And it tells you how closely related any two org

SSS 2010-09-22

This is Scientific Americans 60-Second Science, Im Christopher Intagliata. Got a minute? Last month's salmonella outbreak got over 1,500 people sick. And one reason salmonella may be such a heavy hitter is that it actually hijacks our immune response

SSS 2010-09-23

This is Scientific Americans 60-Second Science, Im Cynthia Graber. This will just take a minute. Dieters may try to estimate a meals calorie count. Now a study by Northwestern Universitys Alexander Chernev finds that even the order in which food is p

SSS 2010-09-24

This is Scientific Americans 60 Science, Im Cynthia Graber. Thisll just take a minute. Batteries add weight, and they need recharging. Thats serious business for implanted medical devices. When the batteries die, patients sometimes have to undergo an

SSS 2010-09-27

This is Scientific Americans 60-Second Science, Im Christopher Intagliata. Got a minute? City living has obviously influenced human cultureas have often been noted, how you gonna keep em down on the farm after theyve seen Paree'? But urban life may h

SSS 2010-09-28

A significant cause of disability in older Americans is, simply, falling. If youre a senior citizen and you worry about falling, maybe you should go light on the drinks. It turns out that only two drinkswithin the legal driving limitcan make it more