Science News

The government approves the first human clinical trial of embryonic stem cell therapy, marking a new chapter in the issue's contentious history in the U.S. A biotech company says it plans a clinical trial this summer to try to use the stem cells to regrow nerve tissue in patients with injured spinal cords.

Which baby face is cuter? Your opinion may depend on your age and gender, according to Scottish researchers. A study finds that women of childbearing age are much better at picking out cute babies than men and older women.

The life expectancy for Americans has risen nearly three years over the past two decades, and at least part of that increase is due to better air quality, a new study says. Even modest reductions in pollution can have a noticeable impact on health, the research suggests. Two cities that made the biggest gains against pollution -- Pittsburgh and Buffalo, N.Y. -- reported major jumps in life expectancy.