DNA May Have Had Humble Beginnings As Nutrient Carrier
New research intriguingly suggests that DNA, the genetic information carrier for humans and other complex life, might have had a rather humbler origin.
Eruption of Yellowstone supervolcano could spell the end of the U.S.: geologists
Eruption of the supervolcano beneath Yellowstone National Park would blanket much of the United States in a meter of ash
Cholesterol Drug Halves Heart Attack and Stroke in Early Test
An experimental cholesterol-lowering drug from Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals cut roughly in half the number of heart attacks and strokes in a clinical trial, researchers reported on Sunday.
Leading expert on search for intelligent extra-terrestrial life optimistic
The Conversation organised a public question-and-answer session on Reddit in which Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, explained why searching for intelligent life is so important and why we may soon find it.
Study claims cave art made by Neanderthals
A series of lines scratched into rock in a cave near the southwestern tip of Europe could be proof that Neanderthals were more intelligent and creative than previously thought.
A Call for a Low-Carb Diet
People who avoid carbohydrates and eat more fat lose more body fat and have fewer cardiovascular risks than people who follow the recommended low-fat diet
Neurons in human skin perform advanced calculations
Neurons in human skin perform advanced calculations, previously believed that only the brain could perform.
Time Travel Simulation Resolves “Grandfather Paradox”
What would happen to you if you went back in time and killed your grandfather? A model using photons reveals that quantum mechanics can solve the quandary―and even foil quantum cryptography
Extinctions during human era worse than thought
Newest estimate is that the pre-human rate was 10 times lower than scientists had thought
Scripps Florida scientists make diseased cells synthesize their own drug
Scientists have adapted a chemical approach to turn diseased cells into unique manufacturing sites for molecules
Breast cancer patients with bilateral mastectomy don't have better survival rates
Breast cancer patients treated with lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy survived as long as patients who had bilateral mastectomy
‘Prepped’ by tumor cells, lymphatic cells encourage breast cancer cells to spread
HIV drug plus blood vessel growth-blockers could halt metastasis
Salamander skin peptide promotes quick and effective wound healing in mice
Short peptide called tylotoin exerts the promotion of wound healing with epidermal growth factor (EGF) in mice
Study links sex hormone levels in the blood to risk of sudden cardiac arrest
For first time, researchers analyze levels of testosterone and estradiol to predict patients' likelihood of suffering usually fatal condition, take another step toward offering preventive treatments
Protein in plasma may one day change transfusions
Fibronectin is instrumental in stopping bleeding but interestingly also at preventing life-threatening blood clots
CDC Director on Ebola: “The Window of Opportunity Really is Closing.”
We need action now to scale up the response. We know how to stop Ebola. The challenge is to scale it up to the massive levels needed to stop this outbreak.”
Modern population boom traced to pre-industrial roots
The foundation of the human population explosion, commonly attributed to a sudden surge in industrialization and public health during the 18th and 19th centuries, was actually laid as far back as 2,000 years ago, suggests an extended model of detailed demographic and archeological data.
Brain circuit differences reflect divisions in social status
Life at opposite ends of primate social hierarchies is linked to specific brain
Should Monkeys Go to School?
Showing instructional videos to monkeys in the wild has proven to be a resounding success, finds a new study that describes the first known usage of such videos in an animal’s native habitat.
Global snapshot of infectious canine cancer shows how to control the disease
Some countries have curbed an infectious and gruesome canine cancer but the disease still lurks in most free-roaming dog populations around the world
Scientists discover how to 'switch off' autoimmune diseases
Scientists have made an important breakthrough in the fight against debilitating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis by revealing how to stop cells attacking healthy body tissue.
Researchers demonstrate direct brain-to-brain communication in human subjects
Advanced neuro-technologies including wireless EEG and robotized TMS enable first successful transmission
Pacific fisheries chief warns tuna stocks dangerously low
The outgoing head of the fisheries management body for the western and central Pacific has warned that some tuna stocks were now so low they should not be fished.
Is type 2 diabetes 'diabetes' as currently understood?
Current way of diagnosing type 2 diabetes needs to be revised, study shows
New deep sea mushroom-shaped organisms discovered
Organisms' discovery spurs identification of 2 new species
Newly identified galactic supercluster is home to the Milky Way
Way galaxy is part of a newly identified ginormous supercluster of galaxies
Ancient mammal relatives were active at night 100 million years before origin of mammals
Most living mammals are active at night (or nocturnal), and many other mammal species are active during twilight conditions.
Experimental Vaccine Shows Promise Against Dengue Fever
An experimental vaccine against dengue fever being developed by Sanofi proved about 60 percent effective in its second large clinical trial.
Chimpanzees Outplay Humans in Brain Games
In a new study chimpanzees outplay humans in a two-player game, suggesting that chimps may have a superior memory and strategy when it comes to recalling their opponent’s choice history.
Chicken Company Perdue Takes Big Steps to Reduce Antibiotic Use
America’s third-largest chicken producer announced it has ceased using most antibiotics
Trinity geologists re-write Earth's evolutionary history books
Oxygen-producing life forms appeared at least 60 million years earlier than previously thought
The Lancet: International health systems fund could have averted Ebola outbreak
Commitment needed now to prevent another crisis
Dinosaur titan's big bone haul
New fossils found in Argentina represent the most complete giant sauropod dinosaur ever discovered.
New reprogramming factor cocktail produces therapy-grade induced pluripotent stem cells
iPSCs may hold the potential to cure damaged nerves, regrow limbs and organs, and perfectly model a patient's particular disease
Breast cancer specialist reports advance in treatment of triple-negative breast cancer
Major national study that could lead to improvements in outcomes for women with triple-negative breast cancer
Island Rising Out of Pacific Could Be Tsunami Hazard
The birth of a new island might seem like a pretty cool thing, but there are a few distinct downsides.
Use Ebola survivors' blood - WHO
The blood of patients who recover from Ebola should be used to treat others, the World Health Organization has announced.
Many in West Africa Are Thought to Be Immune, but Finding Them Will Not Be Easy
Although few medical experts realize it, part of the population in West Africa is immune to the Ebola virus, according to virologists who specialize in the disease.
Ebola: How bad can it get?
This isn't just the worst single Ebola outbreak in history, it has now killed more than all the others combined.
Each day in the hospital raises risk of multidrug-resistant infection
Likelihood of multidrug resistance increases by 1%  per day of hospitalization
Sleeping on animal fur in infancy found to reduce risk of asthma
Munich, Germany: Sleeping on animal fur in the first three months of life might reduce the risk of asthma in later childhood a new study has found.
61percent fall in female genital warts due to free HPV vaccine
Since introduction of national (HPV) vaccination program Australia GPs face 61 % fewer cases of genital warts among young women
Meteorite strikes near Nicaragua’s capital leaving 39-foot crater
A mysterious explosion that rocked Nicaragua's crowded capital Managua, creating a large crater, appears to have been caused by a small meteorite, officials said Sunday.
Faraway moon mimics Earth tectonics
Jupiter's icy moon Europa may have active tectonic plates similar to those that shape the Earth, which had long been thought unique in this respect, scientists said Sunday.
Taking short walking breaks found to reverse negative effects of prolonged sitting
An Indiana University study has found that three easy -- one could even say slow -- 5-minute walks can reverse harm caused to leg arteries during three hours of prolonged sitting.