Life Science
From survival of the fittest to survival of all: Is evolution over?
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Noel King, Nik Sindle October 09, 2008, 08:28 AM
As medicine, technology and culture advance, we’ve gone from survival of the fittest to survival of just about everyone. Evolution is about weeding out the weak and ensuring that the strong survive. But geneticist Steve Jones thinks our advances have effectively put an end to natural selection.
Biologists are using giant tortoise DNA to bring an extinct turtle back from the dead
By John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji September 25, 2008, 08:45 AM
Down in the Galapagos, a long extinct sea turtle may be resurrected from the dead. An international team of researchers has found that a living breed of tortoise carries some of the same genes as an extinct type of turtle. Now, scientists are hatching a plan to bring the extinct Darwinian tortoise back to life.
What happens when you die? UK researchers study near-death experiences
By John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji September 18, 2008, 09:29 AM
We may know a lot about what happens to the body when we die, but what about the mind? Researchers are trying to find out, carrying out the world's largest scientific study in near-death experiences.
Abiraterone shows promise in prostate cancer fight, Dimebon for Alzheimer’s
By John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji July 23, 2008, 09:02 AM
A 21-patient study has shown that the drug abiraterone can stop the testosterone that feeds prostate cancer. A larger international clinical trial is underway to test the drug before it can be deemed a "miracle drug." Also, Dimebon, once used as an antihistamine, has been found to improve cognitive abilities for Alzheimer’s patients, though researchers aren't yet sure how.
Thinking outside the embryo
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Chelsea Merz July 23, 2008, 06:40 AM
Since 2001, when a federal funding freeze crippled research into the use of human embryonic stem cells to treat a host of congenital and degenerative conditions, molecular biologists have searched for a viable alternative. Now, they may have found a way. By reprogramming adult skin cells, researchers have produced stem cells that bypass the political and ethical stumbling blocks. But all is not perfect. In recent studies, the cells produced tumors in mice.
Iraqi bacteria, the unforeseen enemy
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Chelsea Merz July 09, 2008, 05:09 AM
There is a new enemy on the battlefields of Iraq and it's too small to be seen. It's Acinetobacter baumannii, a drug-resistant killer microbe.
DNA testing: The California spit wars
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Sitara Nieves June 23, 2008, 06:47 AM
The California Public Health Department has halted the work of 13 genetic testing companies, barring them from selling tests without a doctor’s orders. Today the companies must detail how they’ll “prevent further violation of California state laboratory law” to the health department. The Takeaway talks with Wired's Alexis Madrigal about the intertwined issues of privacy and public health, and whether there’s a potential health benefit from barring individuals from their own genetic information.
Neurotransmitter-of-the-month oxytocin could play role in parenting behavior
June 20, 2008, 07:18 AM
Dutch researchers published a study that suggests our genes may determine our parenting behavior. They found a correlation between nurturing behaviors and particular genetic variations. The finding highlights the role of serotonin and oxytocin in healthy human relationships.
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This is the old chicken and egg question. Did the genetics come first or the way the moms were taught when they were infants by someone with the same genetic code. We may never know because you cannot take a baby away at birth to do experiments on it.But that having been said, YES, there are some people who should NOT be allowed to reproduce. Their genetic makeup should be eradicated. But it is for far more obvious reasons than Oxytocin. It's more like miserable afflictions like Crohn's disease and schizophrenia that are more obvious than having a happy childhood."
by Lynn, June 20, 11:01AM
on Neurotransmitter-of-the-month oxytocin could play role in parenting behavior
Life Science
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International,
in collaboration with The BBC World Service, New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
Dario Maestripieri of Emory University did some experiments that illustrate how both genes and experience after birth can influence the way we mother. I just wrote a blog post covering it on Hug the Monkey: http://www.hugthemonkey.com/2008/06/mean-like-mommy.html"
by Susan Kuchinskas, June 22, 04:26PM
on Neurotransmitter-of-the-month oxytocin could play role in parenting behavior