Science Quickly

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Including Indigenous Voices in Genomics Aug 21, 2019

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A program at the University of Illinois trains indigenous scientists in genomics—in hopes that future work will be aimed at benefiting those communities. Christine Herman reports.

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West Point Uniforms Signify Explosive Chemistry Aug 19, 2019

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U.S. Military Academy cadets wear the colors black, gray and gold for reasons found in gunpowder’s chemistry.

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Secrets of the Universe Trapped in Antarctic Snow Aug 14, 2019

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Scientists found an interstellar iron isotope in Antarctic snow samples—which hints that our region of the universe may be the remnant of an ancient exploding star. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Certain Personality Types Are Likely to Make a "Foodie Call" Aug 13, 2019

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Some people go on dates just to score a free meal—a phenomenon known as a “foodie call.” But it takes a certain personality type. Karen Hopkin reports.

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Artificial Intelligence Sniffs Out Unsafe Foods Aug 12, 2019

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Researchers trained machine-learning algorithms to read Amazon reviews for hints that a food product would be recalled by the FDA. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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A Computer Tells Real Smiles from Phonies Aug 09, 2019

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Slight changes around the eyes are indeed a giveaway as to whether a smile is sincere or faked.

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Stare Down Gulls to Avoid Lunch Loss Aug 08, 2019

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Researchers slowed the approach of greedy gulls by an average of 21 seconds by staring at the birds versus looking elsewhere. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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Real Laughs Motivate More Guffaws Aug 07, 2019

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Honest, involuntary laughter cued people to laugh more at some really bad jokes than they did when hearing forced laughter.

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Extinction Wipes Out Evolution's Hard Work Aug 05, 2019

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By killing off many of New Zealand’s endemic birds, humans destroyed 50 million years’ worth of evolutionary history. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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London Is Crawling with Drug-Resistant Microbes Aug 03, 2019

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Nearly half of bacteria gathered in public settings around the city were resistant to two or more commonly used antibiotics, such as penicillin and erythromycin. Christopher Intagliata reports.

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