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stephen beech

This is your brain on cocaine

This is your brain on cocaine

By Stephen Beech Cocaine rewires the brain of former addicts to trigger a relapse, according to new research. The breakthrough might lead to better treatments for drug addiction, say scientists. The study suggests that when a cocaine addict relapses, it isn’t a matter of personal failure but rather it’

Creature with twisted jaw and sideways-facing teeth discovered

Creature with twisted jaw and sideways-facing teeth discovered

By Stephen Beech The remains of a "weird" creature with a twisted jaw and sideways-facing teeth have been discovered in the Amazon jungle. Scientists say the plant-eater Tanyka was a “living fossil” when it stalked the Earth around 275 million years ago, from a lineage that

Chimp love for crystals may explain shiny stones’ allure to early humans

Chimp love for crystals may explain shiny stones’ allure to early humans

By Stephen Beech Chimps’ love for crystals could help explain our ancestors’ fascination with the shiny stones. The forerunners of modern humans collected crystals for which they had no apparent use, say scientists. Now they hope a new chimp study will finally unlock the roots of the infatuation. Crystals have

These birds learn about predators by listening to adults as chicks

These birds learn about predators by listening to adults as chicks

By Stephen Beech Jackdaw chicks learn about predators by listening to adults, reveals new research. Scientists played recordings of predator calls to chicks in their nests – and paired the sounds with either adult jackdaw “alarm” calls or “contact” calls that indicate no danger. Chicks that heard predator sounds paired with

Teeny tiny fossil reveals clues about evolution of primates

Teeny tiny fossil reveals clues about evolution of primates

By Stephen Beech A fossil that would fit on a baby’s fingertip has revealed fresh clues about the evolution of the earliest-known relative of all primates, including humans. Remains of the now extinct shrew-sized mammal called Purgatorius had only previously been found in the northern United States

New study warns breast cancer patients should avoid fatty foods

New study warns breast cancer patients should avoid fatty foods

By Stephen Beech Breast cancer patients should avoid fatty foods, warns a new study. Researchers found that a high-fat diet accelerates the growth and spread of breast cancer tumors. The effects of high-fat diet are more impactful than glucose, insulin, and ketone levels in triple-negative breast cancer,

Study finds triceratops’ huge nose helped control body temperature

Study finds triceratops’ huge nose helped control body temperature

By Stephen Beech Triceratops had a huge nose to help control its body temperature, suggests a new study. Scientists wanted to know why the iconic triple-horned dinosaur had an unusually large conk compared to most species past and present. They used CT scans of fossilized Triceratops skulls and compared