Researchers in Japan have found that female mice produced by using genetic material from two mothers but no father live significantly longer than mice with the normal mix of maternal and paternal genes. Their findings provide the first evidence that sperm genes may have a detrimental effect on lifespan in mammals.
Continue reading about Why females live longer than males: is it due to the father’s sperm?
With flu season in full swing and the threat of H1N1 looming, demand for vaccines is at an all-time high. Although those vaccines are expected to be effective, researchers have found further evidence that some over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin and Tylenol, that inhibit certain enzymes could impact the effectiveness of vaccines.
Continue reading about Aspirin, Tylenol may decrease effectiveness of vaccines
Millions of shark fins are sold annually to satisfy the demand for shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy. Now, scientists using DNA tools have figured out how to trace sharks’ fins from the Hong Kong market all the way back to the sharks’ homes, and have found that endangered populations are still being exploited. These [...]
Continue reading about Shark fins traced to their geographic origin for first time using DNA tools
Cancer researchers developed a tumor-attacking virus that kills brain-tumor cells and blocks tumor blood-vessel growth. The research shows that viruses designed to kill cancer cells — oncolytic viruses — might be more effective against aggressive brain tumors if they can also inhibit blood-vessel growth. The study showed that an oncolytic virus containing the gene for [...]
Continue reading about Tumor-attacking virus strikes with ‘one-two punch’
Marine aquaculture could play a large role in feeding humanity in the coming decades, although substantial changes will be needed to reduce its reliance on terrestrial agriculture and other external feed subsidies.
Continue reading about Marine aquaculture could feed growing world population
Loneliness, like a bad cold, can spread among groups of people, new research shows. Using longitudinal data from a large-scale study that has been following health conditions for more than 60 years, a team of scholars found that lonely people tend to share their loneliness with others. Gradually over time, a group of lonely, disconnected [...]
In a striking finding that raises new questions about carbon dioxide’s impact on marine life, scientists report that some shell-building creatures — such as crabs, shrimp and lobsters — unexpectedly build more shell when exposed to ocean acidification caused by elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Researchers have identified immune system markers in the blood which indicate early-stage lung tumors in people at high risk for developing lung cancer.
Continue reading about Genetic pattern indicates early-stage lung cancer
Scientists have developed an innovative way to boost the output of the next generation of solar cells. They have produced tandem dye-sensitized solar cells with a three-fold increase in energy conversion efficiency compared with previously reported tandem dye-sensitized solar cells.
Continue reading about Innovation puts next-generation solar cells on the horizon
Treatment for a number of cancers and other medical conditions is transplantation with bone marrow from a genetically nonidentical individual. Researchers have now identified several molecules involved in a process that contributes to two medical complications that occur in patients following allo-BMT, susceptibility to infections and recurrence of cancers. Some of these molecules might prove [...]
Continue reading about Death-inducing proteins key to complications of bone marrow transplantation