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December 2, 2008 10:07:25 PM CST

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8 Stories

 Scientists  
 Map DNA 
 of Woolly 
 Mammoth  

Neanderthals, early humans could be next

National Geographic National Geographic Nov 19, 08 6:42 PM CST
(Newser) - Scientists have pieced together the nearly complete genome of the woolly mammoth from a hair strand found in Siberia, National Geographic reports. It's the first time scientists have decoded the nuclear DNA of an extinct species. The development makes it theoretically possible for the mammoths to roam the earth again after a 10,000-year rest, though current technical hurdles make that a nearly impossible goal. More »

More about:  science • DNA • genome • scientific breakthroughs • woolly mammoth • natural history

Scaffolding Gets Scientists Closer to Growing a Heart

Biodegradable frame supports stem cells, may pave way for creating whole organs

Independent (UK) Independent (UK) Nov 3, 08 10:09 AM CST
(Newser) - Scientists have developed a biodegradable scaffold on which heart tissue can be grown in the lab, possibly paving the way for the creation of whole organs, the Independent reports. In the meantime, the goal is to produce living patches for mending damaged hearts. The flexible polymer matrix ensures growing cells all align the right way, and dissolve within months. More »

More about:  stem cell research • heart • scientific breakthroughs • scaffolding • polymer

 Tobacco Could Treat Cancer 

Plant's virus can carry therapeutic genes into damaged cells

Wired Wired Sep 4, 08 12:00 PM CDT
(Newser) - Tobacco may be able to redeem itself. A modified virus from the plant can inject gene therapy into diseased cells to treat cancer, viruses, and genetic disorders, Wired reports. The virus’ tubular shape can be hollowed out and used like a tiny syringe to inject RNA molecules inside a cell. The "siRNA" can then program cells to destroy disease-causing proteins. More »

More about:  medical research • tobacco • scientific discoveries • scientific breakthroughs

Scientists Close In on Antidote
to Neurotoxin

Cure would block feared bioweapon that causes paralysis

BBC BBC May 12, 08 6:11 PM CDT
(Newser) - Scientists are one step closer to developing an antidote to botulinum, a potentially devastating biological weapon, the BBC reports. Terrorists have tried, so far unsuccessfully, to deploy the neurotoxin, which is also the culprit in botulism and the secret behind Botox. A botulinum vaccine already exists, but the new drug could eventually be used after exposure. More »

More about:  terrorism • biological weapons • scientific breakthroughs • Botox • neurotoxin

 Cold Virus 
 Joins Cancer Fight 

Brain tumors may yield to targeted infection

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle Post-Intelligencer Apr 7, 08 2:14 PM CDT
(Newser) - Scientists are trying to beat some of the most untreatable forms of cancer by employing another undefeated ailment: the common cold. A research team in Seattle has "modified the viruses so they can selectively target the tumor cells, replicate inside them and kill them," says one of the scientists, but so far just in mice. Deploying viruses against cancer isn't a new technique, reports the Post-Intelligencer. More »

More about:  cancer • medical breakthrough • virus • tumor • clinical trials • common cold • scientific breakthroughs • measles

Sea Slugs Inspire New
Brain Implant Technology

Findings could apply to people with Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries

BBC BBC Mar 7, 08 7:17 AM CST
(Newser) - Sure, it’s a warty creepy-crawly that lurks at the bottom of the ocean, but the sea cucumber has inspired scientists to create a new material that could be used in implanted brain electrodes to help people with Parkinson’s disease, reports the BBC. The creature stiffens its skin when faced with an enemy and reverts to its soft self just as easily. Scientists hope the new material, which mimics that variability, will remain hardened during implantation in a human brain, then soften in the body. More »

More about:  brain • stroke • Parkinson's disease • health research • scientific breakthroughs • neurological disorder • implant • spinal cord

Scientist Makes Wonder Material from Rice Husks

Cheap 'aerogel' would slash electricity needs, bomb-proof buildings

Associated Press Associated Press Feb 29, 08 5:10 PM CST
(Newser) - Rice husks might be the key to lowering electricity use, bomb-proofing buildings and making products—from airplanes to tennis rackets—lighter. A Malaysian scientist says she’s found a cheap way to create aerogel, the world’s lightest solid, from discarded rice husks. The material combines incredible insulating power and strength with near weightlessness, reports AP, but has so far been prohibitively expensive to make. More »

More about:  airplane • electricity • Malaysia • scientific breakthroughs • chemistry

Move Over, Heisenberg: Electron Caught on Film

Elusive negative charge stars in Swedish researchers' breakthrough video

LiveScience LiveScience Feb 26, 08 12:40 PM CST
(Newser) - Electrons are tiny, fast, and, until recently, impossible to capture on film. But a short, super-slow-mo video offers the first direct look at the wily subatomic particle. Coaxing the reclusive electron into the limelight took major maneuvering by Swedish scientists, LiveScience reports. The paparazzi of physicists caught the negative particle by using extremely short pulses of laser light. More »

More about:  Sweden • scientific breakthroughs • laser • electron

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