Predecessors of the controversial " hobbit " ( Homo floresiensis ) discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores might have had a longer history there than researchers previously thought. [More]

Predecessors of the controversial " hobbit " ( Homo floresiensis ) discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores might have had a longer history there than researchers previously thought. [More]

Scientific American staff editor Michael Moyer talks about his article "Fusion's False Dawn" in the March issue, and Editor in Chief Mariette DiChristina discusses the rest of the issue. [More]

Astronomers have discovered a new planet the size of Jupiter. The planet is mostly made of hydrogen and helium, but may contain up to 20 Earth masses of heavier elements including rock and water under high pressure. It thus appears to be very similar to the solar system's giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn.

Scientists are beginning to find out why people with Parkinson's disease often feel socially awkward. Parkinson's patients find it harder to recognize expressions of emotion in other people's faces and voices, report two new studies.

To ensure that we can all watch YouTube without interruption, major Internet service providers must manage two very different switching technologies. Wide area "IP" networks made up of packet switches are interconnected over long distances by circuit-switched "transport" networks. Past efforts to bridge packet-based and circuit-based technologies have approached the problem with the assumption that the two networks, which have very different architectures, must remain distinct. As a result, trying to span the two networks has resulted in very complex solutions.

Patients hospitalized with even mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia who develop acute kidney injury (AKI) are more likely to die after discharge than pneumonia patients whose kidneys remain healthy, according to a new study. The study also found a strong relationship between AKI and levels of inflammatory biomarkers.

A new study touts the benefits of soluble fiber -- found in oats, apples, and nuts, for starters -- saying that it reduces the inflammation associated with obesity-related diseases and strengthens the immune system.

A new study shows that the Gardasil vaccine reduces the likelihood of human papillomavirus-related disease recurring after teen and adult women already have had surgery to remove cancer or certain pre-cancerous changes.

Sea horses and their cousins in the syngnathid group are the only known animals in which the male gets pregnant and bears the offspring . In these unusual reproductive circumstances, however, the next generation often does not thrive--or even survive. [More]