science news We attracted over 13 million visitors to our site this year. Here’s a recap of the most-read news stories and long-form books of 2022.
headline story
1. A special brewing method may have calmed Inca children traveling to sacrifice
The mummified remains of two Inca children who were ritually sacrificed more than 500 years ago contain chemical clues about their last days and weeks.On the way to the mountains of Peru where they were sacrificed, the children probably chewed coca leaves and drank drinks Soothe their nerves with antidepressant-like ingredients (SN: 6/4/22, p. 10).
2. A ‘mystery monkey’ in Borneo may be a rare hybrid.this worries scientists
An unusual monkey first spotted six years ago appears to be a female silver langur (crested holopithecus) and a male proboscis monkey (nasal larvae). this possible cross-generic pairing Are scientists worried, since such matings are often a sign of ecological stress on a species (SN: 6/18/22, p. 11).
3. Experts tell me what to do after I test positive for COVID-19 at home
Rear science news Intern Anna Gibbs has COVID-19 and she Seek help from a health professional Figure out how to report her case to public health officials and how long she will need to isolate (SN Online: 4/22/22).
4. All the bases in DNA and RNA have now been found in meteorites
Here’s more evidence that a precursor to life may have come from space. All five nucleobases, which store information in DNA and RNA, have been found in meteorites.This year, scientists report Detecting Cytosine and Thymine in Falling Space Rockscomplete list (SN: 6/4/22, p. 7).
5. Humans may not be able to handle as much heat as scientists think
For many years, it was thought that the human body could withstand “wet bulb” temperatures (a measure of humidity and air temperature combined) as high as 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).but experiment Hint threshold may be a few degrees lower (SN: 8/27/22, p. 6).
Hot Feature Stories
1. Tardigrades could teach us how to cope with the rigors of space travel
Tardigrades can withstand harsh radiation levels, freezing temperatures and the vacuum of outer space.Researchers Learning the death-defying tricks of these tenacious tiny animals Better prepare astronauts for long-duration voyages (SN: 7/16/22 & 7/30/22, p. 30).
2. Mesons reveal the secret of the hidden structure of the earth
Just like doctors use X-rays to see inside the human body, scientists using mesona subatomic particle that can peer into Egyptian pyramids, volcanoes, and other impenetrable structures (SN: 4/23/22, p. 22).
3. Multiple sclerosis has a common culprit, opening the door to new approaches
Evidence is mounting that the Epstein-Barr virus somehow triggers multiple sclerosis. Understanding the link between the virus and MS could lead to better treatments for the neurological disease.Vaccines Against Viruses MS may even be completely prevented (SN: 8/13/22, p. 14).
4. The discovery of the Kuiper belt changed our view of the solar system
In 1992, two astronomers discovered a doughnut-shaped region beyond Neptune known as the Kuiper Belt, home to a swarm of frozen objects left over from the formation of the solar system.By studying these distant objects over the past 30 years, scientists have New understanding of planet formation (SN: 8/27/22, p. 22).
5. Clovis hunters’ reputation as mammoth killers takes a hit
Ancient Americans may have been big game scavengers rather than big game hunters.Some recent analyzes have shown that Clovis point More likely to be a tool for slaughtering large corpses than a weapon Used to bring down mammoths and other large animals (SN: 1/15/22, p. 22).
