Researchers discovered that cells in the sensory cortex can sprout new axons and form connections with unimpaired areas of the brain, potentially allowing for recovery from stroke or injury. This newfound ability could lead to breakthroughs in treating brain disorders such as spinal cord injuries or stroke.
A comprehensive examination of 100 female statuettes carved in Europe between 30,000 and 20,000 years ago suggests they prioritized the health of mother and child during childbirth. The statuettes depict physical effects of pregnancy and show little evidence of long-term use.
Pat Shipman's book Taking Wing: Archaeopteryx and the Evolution of Bird Flight has received the 1998 Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science. The book explores the enigmatic fossil Archaeopteryx, whose anatomy combines birdlike and reptilian features, and its role in understanding how birds evolved flight.