>when the article says that
"study reveals"
>physical stretching of force-sensitive histones
"physical force"
>can influence gene expression,
"spurs gene expression"
>without the assistance of any other factors
"alone"
"study reveals"
>physical stretching of force-sensitive histones
"physical force"
>can influence gene expression,
"spurs gene expression"
>without the assistance of any other factors
"alone"
Does this imply he can pull the sword from the stone by himself or that only he can pull the sword from the stone?
He can do this alone = he can do it without help He alone can do this = no one but him can do it
Does that mean that your leg muscles (which are stronger) are NOT capable of pulling the sword? Does that mean a tractor can't do it?
A good sentence can be a bad headline.
It's the same principle as Murphy's Law in engineering. If it can be interpreted in a different way, you don't put it at the top of your story.
In this case, removing the word "alone" makes a better headline.