Science gets a grip on finger wrinkles
Getting pruney fingers from soaking in the bath is an evolutionary advantage, for it helps us get a better grip on objects under water.
'17 billion' Earth-sized planets in Milky Way: study
The Milky Way contains at least 17 billion planets the size of Earth, and likely many more, according to a study out Monday that raises the chances of discovering a sister planet to ours.
Study reveals new info on how bacteria survive drugs
Researchers have disproved a long-held theory about how some bacteria survive antibiotics and opened the door to new treatments to fight drug-resistant bugs.
Hot chocolate tastes better in an orange cup
European scientists say they have found further evidence that how you serve food and drink matters hugely in the perception of taste.
Antidepressants don't increase pregnancy risks: study
The use of antidepressants during pregnancy is not linked to a higher overall risk of stillbirth and death in newborns, a study said Tuesday, confounding a long-held opposing view of such drugs.
Dried squash holds headless French king's blood: study
Two centuries after the French people beheaded Louis XVI and dipped their handkerchiefs in his blood, scientists believe they have authenticated the remains of one such rag kept as a revolutionary souvenir.
China boom savaging coral reefs: study
China's economic boom has seen its coral reefs shrink by at least 80 percent over the past 30 years, a joint Australian study found Thursday, with researchers describing "grim" levels of damage and loss.
Fists came first for hand evolution, scientists suggest
Biologists say the human hand is a wonder of evolution, providing dexterity that lets our species perform activities as diverse as bricklaying, writing, ice hockey and brain surgery.
Christians most populous of world's religions: report
Christians are the world's biggest religious group, numbering some 2.2 billion people, according to a study released Tuesday by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
'Worrying' increase in global child trafficking: UN
Children -- most of them girls -- now make up 27 percent of all human trafficking cases, marking an alarming increase in recent years.
US seen as 'first among equals' in 2030: intel report
The United States will likely be the "first among equals" rather than a lone superpower by 2030, in an increasingly chaotic world where China is the top economy.
Beer is good for you: study finds anti-virus powers
Consuming large quantities of a key ingredient in beer can protect against winter sniffles and even some serious illnesses in small children, a Japanese brewery said citing a scientific study.
Sperm count of French men falls by one-third: study
The sperm count in French men dropped by nearly one-third between 1989 and 2005 and the quality of sperm also declined.
New media world won't end need for journalists: study
Bloggers, "crowdsourcing" and computer-generated articles are making contributions to the news media, but they cannot replace professional journalists in digging up important news.
What's eating the sea butterfly? CO2, study says
Rising acidity is eating away the shells of tiny snails, known as "sea butterflies", that live in the seas around Antarctica, leaving them vulnerable to predators and disease.
No cognitive decline for women with migraines: study
Women suffering from migraines are more likely to experience changes to their brain tissue, though these do not appear to cause long-term damage to their mental condition.
Fifth of US youth with HIV unaware during first-time sex
Twenty percent of young people born with HIV in the United States don't know they're infected when they have sex for the first time, according to a new study released Friday.
Regular exercise raises life expectancy: study
Regular moderate exercise can raise life expectancy -- even among people who are overweight, a study said Tuesday.
Cancer drug helps MS patients, trials show
A drug initially developed to treat some types of cancer now appears to help people suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), a study said Thursday.
Breast cancer screening saves lives, says study
The benefits of preemptive breast cancer screening outweigh the risks, a study said Tuesday, insisting the practice saves thousands of lives.