Science News
The Sea Change That's Challenging Biology's Central Dogma
11.03.2009 For decades, RNA was seen as a simple slave to DNA. Newer research shows it has an active and critical role in every disease from Alzheimer's to cancer.
by Gary Taubes
Vital Signs: Confusing Cues
A spreading rash signals something far more dangerous than a skin condition. 11.02.2009
20 Things You Didn't Know About... Sugar
We eat it, we love it, and it may have been a chemical precursor to life on Earth. 10.30.2009
How to Make Your Friends Fat
Staying slim is hard enough without conflicting advice. But don’t worry—science is on the case. 10.29.2009
The 3-D Simulation that Lets Your Surgeon Practice...on You
A new technology lets doctors test out procedures on a simulation of the patient's anatomy. 10.28.2009
Treating Disease With Nature’s Deadliest Toxins
Drug companies and scientists are turning nature’s weapons into life-saving treatments. 10.22.2009
Future Tech: Doctor on-Call? Cell-Phone Cameras Can Diagnose Disease
Developing nations often have a lack of medical facilities but good cell phones. The CellScope turns the latter into the former. 10.20.2009
Sauerkraut, Mustard, Relish, and (Slightly Increased Risk of) Cancer
For anyone who thought hot dogs were the healthiest food around, some new research will come as a sad surprise. 10.16.2009
How Invaders Break Through the Brain's Great Wall
Some bacteria pierce the imposing blood-brain barrier by breaking links in the chain; sneakier ones do it by fooling the guard cells. 10.15.2009
The Era of Nanoparticle Drugs Begins With Erection Cream
Tiny drug-carrying balls of sugar are delivering medicine in novel—and very useful—ways. 10.09.2009
Brain-Saving, Mind-Blowing, Hi-Tech Medical Imaging
The names look like alphabet soup—CT, MRI, DTI—but the images look like science melding into art. 10.07.2009
When Less Information Is More
NYU medical geneticist Harry Ostrer says commercial genomic testing can leave consumers confused—and scared. 10.05.2009
Is Alzheimer's Like a Strange Form of Brain Cancer?
Biochemist Peter Davies suspects the vast majority of research is on the wrong track: The disease is caused by improper cell division, not plaques or tangles. 10.02.2009
The Big Idea That Might Beat Cancer and Cut Health-Care Costs by 80 Percent
Paul Ewald says infections are responsible for at least four-fifths of all cancers—and we have the tools to prevent them. 09.30.2009
Vital Signs: The Boy Who Stopped Talking
A toddler's unusual behavior gives away his condition. 09.29.2009
Reading Women's Biological Clocks
Computational geneticist Tara Matise looks for biomarkers that predict when women will become infertile. 09.29.2009
A New Rx for Cancer: Ignore It (Sometimes)
Dr. H. Gilbert Welch says cancer treatments are often worse than the tumors—especially because some of them go away naturally. 09.25.2009
The Psychology of Genetic Testing
Even geneticist Tara Matise was curious about—but not spooked by—having her genetic palm read. 09.23.2009
A Modest Proposal: How to Stop Aging Entirely
Biologist Aubrey de Grey lays out a plan to stay young forever. Key step: finally winning the war on cancer. 09.23.2009
Body Attacks Self; Body Protects Self
New studies show promise for using a person's own stem cells to protect them from autoimmune disorders like diabetes and multiple sclerosis. 09.21.2009
Are We Prepared for the Next Pandemic?
Former CDC director Jeff Koplan says preparedness is a relative thing. 09.11.2009
