Researchers have discovered a genetic variation that may contribute to how empathetic a human is, and how that person reacts to stress. In the first study of its kind, a variation in the hormone/neurotransmitter oxytocin’s receptor was linked to a person’s ability to infer the mental state of others.

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Researchers have found that previous influenza infections may provide at least some level of immunity to the H1N1 “swine” flu.

Continue reading about Previous seasonal flu infections may provide some level of H1N1 immunity

New methods of studying avian influenza strains and visually mapping their movement around the world will help scientists more quickly learn the behavior of the pandemic H1N1 flu virus, Ohio State University researchers say. The researchers linked many powerful computer systems together to analyze enormous amounts of genetic data collected from all publicly available isolated [...]

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Biologists offer new insights into a gene that plays a key role in modulating the body’s circadian system and may also simultaneously modulate its metabolic system.

Continue reading about Connections Between Circadian And Metabolic Systems Described

Single layers of carbon atoms, called graphene sheets, are lightweight, strong, electrically semi-conducting — and notoriously difficult and expensive to make. Now, scientists have invented a simple way to make graphene electrical devices by growing the graphene directly onto a silicon wafer.

Continue reading about Researchers find reliable, mess-free way to grow graphene

Adults who use pet therapy while recovering from total joint-replacement surgery require 50 percent less pain medication than those who do not, according to new research.

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Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, found in everything from cosmetics to sunscreen to paint to vitamins, cause systemic genetic damage in mice, according to a comprehensive study.

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Targeting the normal cells that surround cancer cells within and around a tumor is a strategy that could greatly increase the effectiveness of traditional anti-cancer treatments, say researchers.

Continue reading about Targeting ‘normal’ cells in tumors slows growth, researchers show

A powerful new breast cancer treatment could result from packaging one of the newer drugs that inhibits cancer’s hallmark wild growth with another that blocks a primordial survival technique in which the cancer cell eats part of itself, researchers say.

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admin on November 17th, 2009

Infectious organisms that become resistant to antibiotics are a serious threat to human society. They are also a natural part of evolution. In a new project, researchers in Sweden are attempting to find substances that can slow the pace of evolution, in order to ensure that the drugs of today remain effective into the future.

Continue reading about Slowing evolution to stop drug resistance