red blood cells

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'Real Detective Work' Leads to Theory on Goya's Mystery Illness

The Spanish painter was profoundly ill for months but went on to live a long life

(Newser) - In 1793, when acclaimed Spanish painter Francisco Goya was 46, he was bedridden for months with a mysterious illness that brought on headaches, dizziness, hallucinations, and even vision and hearing problems. He eventually recovered and went on to live just past his 82nd birthday, but the illness took his hearing...

In 'Crap' Dinosaur Fossils, Scientists Strike Gold

If 75M-year-old soft tissue has survived, could DNA, too?

(Newser) - The fossils may be in such poor shape that scientists are calling them "crap," but the 75-million-year-old fragments are golden in another sense. A theropod claw, triceratops-like toe bone, and duck-billed dinosaur limb and ankle bones first unearthed in Canada 100 years ago appear to retain soft tissue,...

Tibetans' Genetic Edge Didn't Come From Homo Sapiens

High-altitude fitness hails from an extinct hominid cousin, the Denisovans

(Newser) - Tibetans are largely unique among humans for their ability to live comfortably at high altitudes. The Tibetan Plateau, nicknamed the "roof of the world," stands an average of 15,000 feet above sea level. That's just shy of 3 miles—making it the highest plateau on the...

Iceman's Offering: World's Oldest Blood

Researchers discover blood cells on 5,300-year-old Oetzi

(Newser) - It's the ultimate cold case: Researchers continue to investigate the death of 5,300-year-old Oetzi the iceman, and they're making some fascinating discoveries. Their latest find is ancient blood—the world's oldest, the BBC reports. Usually, blood breaks down fast, and researchers had believed that was the...

Low Social Status Bad for Your Health
 Low Social Status 
 Bad for Your Health 
study says

Low Social Status Bad for Your Health

The immune system is happier on top

(Newser) - It's not only good to be king—it’s good for your health, according to a new study. British research has long shown that underlings in the corporate pecking order suffer from more stress-related, life-threatening health problems than the executives who order them around. Now the Economist reports that...

HIV Hides in Bone Marrow: Researchers

Finding may pave way for new AIDS treatments

(Newser) - The virus that causes AIDS can hide in the bone marrow, avoiding drugs and later awakening to cause illness, according to new research that could point the way toward better treatments for the disease. Finding that hideout is a first step, but years of research lie ahead. Dr. Kathleen Collins...

'Nanobees' Sting Cancer Cells
 'Nanobees' Sting Cancer Cells 

'Nanobees' Sting Cancer Cells

Scientists abuzz over treatment using bee venom and nanoparticles

(Newser) - Scientists working to harness the power of bee venom in the fight against cancer have created "nanobees" that can actually sting a tumor to death. Melittin, an ingredient in bee venom with anti-tumor properties, was attached to tiny spheres that sought out and attacked cancerous cells in mice. Previous...

Scientists Grow Blood From Stem Cells

Major breakthrough in controversial field

(Newser) - Scientists have manufactured human blood in a laboratory using embryonic stem cells, reports the Los Angeles Times. The project represents a major technical breakthrough in the controversial area of stem cell research. Researchers made significant quantities of several blood types, but still have a number of hurdles ahead before producing...

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