Scientists think they have figured out why scratching relieves an itch, something that has apparently never been fully understood. picked by Ankabout 8 months ago

Scientists have pinpointed two genes that protect wheat against devastating fungal diseases found worldwide, potentially paving the way to hardier wheat strains. picked by AutumnLotus 9 months ago

Itching for a better anti-itch remedy? Your wish may soon be granted now that scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified the first gene for itch sensation. This could lead to new treatments providing relief for chronic and severe itching picked by 2manyusernames 2 years ago

Australian scientists have identified a potential new way of combating the global scourge of malaria, by pinpointing eight genes that help the disease-causing parasite remodel our red blood cells. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

A brilliant green tree frog with huge black eyes, jumping spiders and a striped gecko are among more than 50 new animal species scientists have discovered in a remote, mountainous region of Papua New Guinea. picked by AutumnLotus 8 months ago

Scientists have identified the "Marilyn Monroe" hormone that is linked to an hour-glass body shape in women, and also an increased desire to trade-up to new men. picked by AutumnLotus 11 months ago

British scientists are on course to become the first to create synthetic human blood from embryonic stem cells, it emerged today.

The ground-breaking project could provide an unlimited supply of blood for emergency transfusions free of the risk of infection.

Because stem cells multiply indefinitely, it would be possible to make enormous quantities, researchers said. picked by AutumnLotus 8 months ago

The use of animal experiments could be replaced by research on “virtual human beings” and tests on banks of living cells within a generation, scientists say.
Computer modeling and advances in cell biology will allow researchers to assess new drugs far more precisely and without the involvement of animals. picked by bingo 6 months ago

The challenge of finding the largest prime number ever known seems like an impossible task, however, when you put mathematicians and 100,000 computers together, you get an amazing result, which could qualify for the $100,000 prize offered by the Electronic Frontier Foundation for the first individual or group who discovers a prime number with at least 10,000,000 decimal digits. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have shown that they can engineer mouse and human cells to produce brown fat, a natural energy-burning type of fat that counteracts obesity. If such a strategy can be developed for use in people, the scientists say, it could open a novel approach to treating obesity and diabetes. picked by AutumnLotus 4 months ago

By using a specialized microscope that illuminates only a cell’s surface, scientists have become the first to see, in real time and in plain view, hundreds of thousands of molecules coming together in a living cell to form a single particle of the virus that has, in less than 25 years, claimed more than 25 million lives: HIV. Video on homepage. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Generally, DNA is only good for preserving and passing on blueprints for making organisms. However, scientists at MIT and Boston University have altered E. coli DNA to perform another function within the cell, like basic computing. Essentially, they've taught E. coli to count. picked by AutumnLotus 6 months ago

A person's optimism in the future seems to be controlled by a small front part of the mid-brain.

In a related story scientists give up on finding pessimism part of brain... what's the point... (sigh) picked by proverb 2 years ago

Well, now you can have the real thing! Cell doors, bunks, sinks and even toilets used by decades of San Diego criminals will be sold Saturday. A cell panel will cost $300, and a buyer must be able to cart off the 450-pound item. Such a deal! picked by suebe 9 months ago

Scientists have managed to weigh a single living cell to an unprecedented level of accuracy. picked by AutumnLotus 3 years ago

Experiments on mice have revealed a gene that is linked to early hair loss, a Japanese researcher said today, sparking hopes for a treatment to prevent thinning and baldness in humans. picked by AutumnLotus 6 months ago

A perfect post for today's FAF, a team of scientists in Edmonton have found a gene that blocks HIV from spreading to other cells and may prevent the onset of AIDS.
If they can find a vaccine or a cure for AIDS, they might be my favorite Canadians. picked by chinook 2 years ago

Scientists in California have uncovered the best evidence yet that cosmic dust in the early universe mostly came from the explosions of giant stars. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

Results of a revolutionary study in which one type of adult cell was changed into an insulin-producing cell. picked by hypnotode 1 year ago

Scientists have identified a genetic mechanism which appears to determine which fatty deposits in the arteries have the potential to kill us. picked by AutumnLotus 7 months ago