Synthetic Biology Aims To Turn Cells Into Chemists Producing Treatments For Diabetes And Cancer -- And Easing Journeys To Mars
Researchers working in the relatively new field of "synthetic biology" aim to make biological parts as standardized as screws and nails. They're on the precipice of being able to do great things and perhaps change the nature of medical treatments and space travel.
AIDS-Like Disease In SE Asia Is Not Spread By Virus: Study
The disease dubbed "Adult-Onset Immunodeficiency" by researchers is not caused by a virus, meaning it is not contagious.
Whoa There! Scientists Say Horse Breeders Should Rein In Hot Iron Branding
Though ranchers in many countries prefer using hot iron to mark their horses, the practice is painful -- and over time, the brands become near-impossible to read, a new study claims.
Most U.S. Kindergartners Getting Vaccines, Risks Remain: Report
More than 95 percent of kindergartners were vaccinated for diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, polio and hepatitis B, meeting federal guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a new report.
Court Strikes Down Graphic Warnings For Cigarettes
The FDA "has not provided a shred of evidence" showing that the graphic labels would reduce smoking, a federal judge wrote.
Tattoo Infections Linked To Manufacturers' Ink
In New York, there were several cases of infection with a bug called Mycobacterium chelonae, which caused reddish or purple raised bumps in the areas tattooed with gray. The infection can mimic an allergic reaction and be difficult to treat.
U.S. West Nile Cases, Deaths Jump In Latest Week
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said on Wednesday that 1,118 cases of West Nile virus infections and 41 deaths had been reported so far this year, up from fewer than 700 cases and 26 deaths just one week ago.
Big Bang? More Like Big Freeze, Physicists Claim
A new paper hypothesizes that the early universe was liquid-like but then "crystallized' into our current universe, with three spatial dimensions and one time dimension.
Fight Against Brown Bananas With Crab Shell Compound
A spritz of "hydrogel" coating turns out to keep bananas fresher longer, scientists claim.
A Good Night's Sleep Less Likely For Minorities, Scientists Say
There's a burgeoning crop of studies that suggest minority groups have higher rates of disordered sleep than Caucasians.
Do Athletes Make Better Doctors?
Researchers from one head and neck specialty program found that a resident having excelled in team sports was a more accurate predictor of success in the program than any of those other factors.
Cartoon Stickers May Sway Kids' Food Choices
Researchers found that when elementary school students were offered apples and cookies with lunch, kids were more likely to opt for an apple when it was branded with an Elmo sticker.
Why Do The Caribbean Islands Form An Arc?
By looking at earthquake data, scientists were able to get a clear picture of the interaction between the continental South American plate and the Caribbean Plate, which is mostly oceanic.
Planets Balanced On Giza Pyramids? Not So Fast, Astronomer Says
Perhaps you've seen a Photoshopped picture showing three planets in our solar system perfectly aligned with the tips of Egyptian pyramids. One astronomer explains how the celestial event scheduled for later this year won't be quite as dramatic as advertised.
"Biorefinery" Turns Stale Pastries Into Commercial Chemical
Succinic acid is used in a wide range of products. Many companies are looking to create this compound using corn, but a Hong Kong chemist thinks it could be more sustainable in the long run to use the food that we toss out in the trash.
Coconut Water Vs. Sports Drinks: Chemist Weighs In
Some are swapping sports drinks for coconut water, but new research says that coconut water is fine after light exercise, but the marathon runners and heavy lifters among us may want to stick with Gatorade.
Todd Akin's Remarks On Rape-Pregnancy Rates Only True For Some Nonhuman Animals
A Missouri congressman is drawing fire for suggesting that women's bodies can shut down pregnancy after being raped. There's no evidence to show that humans can do this, but some animals actually do have methods to avoid pregnancy from rape.
Infections Among Homeless Could Fuel Wider Epidemics: Study
With an estimated 650,000 homeless people in the United States and around 380,000 in Britain, experts said high levels of infection would not only cause yet more poverty and distress for those without homes, but could also become a wider problem.
One-on-one Training Studios Take Fitness Personally
In 1999, 4 million Americans were using personal trainers, but now the number hovers around 6.5 million.
One Man's Waste Is Another's Golden Opportunity: Gates Foundation Awards Next-Gen Toilet Designers
The Gates Foundation is aiming to address a prevalent problem for the urban poor and the developing world: the lack of a hygienic place to poop.
Polar Bear In German Zoo Died From Zebra Herpes Virus, Scientists Say
Researchers say Jerka the polar bear died from encephalitis brought upon by a bug normally found in zebras that's an amalgam of two different kinds of equine herpes virus.
British Anthrax Death Sparks Outbreak Concern
From June 2012 there have been new cases of anthrax among heroin users in Europe - three in Germany, two in Denmark, one in France and one in Scotland, authorities say.
Beware The 'Cave Robber': New Spider With Velociraptor-Like Claws Found In Oregon
Scientists are saying the newly discovered species Trogloraptor marchingtoni doesn't fit into any previously described family of spiders.
Breast Milk Ingredient May Guard Against HIV
Researchers say that higher concentrations of human milk oligosaccharides, or HMO -- a kind of complex carbohydrate that's the third-most abundant ingredient in breast milk -- were associated with protection against HIV transmission to infants.
Walnuts Put Extra Spring In A Man's Sperm, Study Claims
A few walnuts a day might keep a trip to the infertility clinic away, a new study claims.
Birth Control For Mice And Men: Study Finds Promising Compound
Researchers say they've found a compound that temporarily reduces sperm count and movement in mice with no lasting health effects, raising hopes for a male contraceptive.
Australian Court OKs Tobacco Pack Logo Ban
From December 1, cigarettes and tobacco products in Australia must be sold in plain olive green packets with graphic health warnings, such as pictures of mouth cancer and other smoking-related illnesses.
U.S. Kids Downing More Diet Drinks
Researchers found that by 2008, 12.5 percent of children were drinking artificially-sweetened beverages. That was up from six percent a decade earlier.
Mutant Butterflies Found Near Fukushima Disaster Site
A new paper details the physical and genetic changes wrought by the Fukushima nuclear disaster upon Japanese populations of Zizeeria maha, the pale grass blue butterfly.
2012 Greenland Melt Strongest On Record, And It's Not Over Yet
Scientists found that with four weeks to go in the melting season, Greenland's ice sheet is melting with record-busting strength.
