http://discovermagazine.com Science, Technology, and The Future http://discovermagazine.com/2008/may/09-the-wonderful-world-of-c-coli Carl Zimmer describes the myriad uses and functions of E. coli, from inoculating premature infants to building cameras to—of course—making us violently ill. Jocelyn Rice 2008-05-09T06:45:13Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jun/05-what-is-this See if you can guess what's in the picture. Hints: 1. It's part animal, part vegetable, and a smidge mineral. 2. Heavy metals in this sample may include lead and arsenic. 3. It can make you cough. 2008-05-05T11:39:30Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/may/02-a-dead-man.s-eyes-hold-the-key-to-his-age Researchers have developed a new method of pinpointing the age of a corpse by examining the radioactive marker found in the proteins of its eyes. Josie Glausiusz 2008-05-02T04:55:21Z Web Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/may/01-what-happens-when-an-ovary-dies When a 49-year-old woman arrives in the ER in debilitating pain, a gynecologic surgeon must make rapid decisions to determine her treatment. Stewart Massad 2008-05-01T03:24:53Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/may/28-conquering-your-fears-one-synapse-at-a-time An experiment with mice reveals a chemical pattern in the brain that may provide the key to overcoming fear—and preserving memories forever. Orli Van Mourik 2008-04-28T03:18:53Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/may/25-how-much-do-chemicals-affect-our-health An environmental crusader takes on special interests and investigates the possible causes of autism, asthma, and attention deficit disorder. Linda Marsa; photography by Jesse Chehak 2008-04-25T05:36:09Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/may/18-think-you-can-live-without-plastic From a toothpaste container to bowls to computer monitors, one woman chronicles her extensive (and entirely typical) use of plastic products on an average morning. Jill Neimark 2008-04-21T05:00:49Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/may/18-the-dirty-truth-about-plastic Plastics—including the now notorious BPA—are one of the most useful and ubiquitous products in modern society. Scientists are now working to find out if they're among the most dangerous, as well. Jill Neimark 2008-04-30T08:45:02Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/apr/16-how-do-transplant-patients-wind-up-with-deadly-diseased-organs Recently, four other people contracted lymphoma from the transplanted organs from one 15-year-old boy. A mix of policy, circumstances, and bad luck causes these occasional tragedies. Melissa Lafsky 2008-04-17T11:52:21Z Web Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/apr/16-the-blood-pressure-mystery A former gastric bypass patient with abnormally low blood pressure checks into the hospital with nausea and weakness. After initially writing the symptoms off as aftereffects of the bypass, his doctor realizes that the blood pressure drop is a signal of major internal bleeding, and he needs to act quickly to save the patient's life. Tony Dajer 2008-04-16T03:35:13Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/apr/09-the-man-who-lost-his-name-and-his-genetic-identity Eric Drew had a bone-marrow transplant that erased his genetic signature. A lab technician who thought he was a goner stole his identity. But after an experimental cord-blood transplant, he miraculously recovered from cancer. David Kushner; Photography by Thomas Broening 2008-04-09T11:07:40Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/mar/31-eating-paper-in-search-of-missing-nutrients You don't actually get any iron from eating paper. But that doesn't stop some people with the strange syndrome called pica. H. Lee Kagan 2008-03-31T06:36:46Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/apr/28-go-to-the-fridge-and-fix-yourself-a-superbug-sandwich Scientists used to believe that the dangerous antibiotic-resistant Staph bacterium thrived only in hospitals. But MRSA was recently found for the first time in live pigs in North America, confirming suspicions that it has entered the food chain. Boonsri Dickinson 2008-03-28T04:41:14Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/apr/27-epileptic-seizures-strike-much-like-earthquakes Tools for predicting aftershocks could also work for seizures. Both systems involve “relaxation phenomena,” in which energy accumulated over a long period of time is discharged. Mark Anderson 2008-03-27T03:33:45Z Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2008/apr/24-finally-nearly-foolproof-circumcision An ingenious new device means lower HIV rates *and* safer penises. Good news all around. Josie Glausiusz 2008-03-31T04:14:29Z Print Article