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Many paths, few destinations: How stem cells decide what they'll be 
How does a stem cell decide what specialized identity to adopt – or simply to remain a stem cell? A new study suggests that the conventional view, which assumes that cells are “instructed” to progress along prescribed signaling pathways, is too simplistic. Instead, it supports the idea that cells differentiate through the behavior of multiple genes in a network that leads to a few endpoints
How does a stem cell decide what specialized identity to adopt – or simply to remain a stem cell? A new study suggests that the conventional view, which assumes that cells are “instructed” to progress along prescribed signaling pathways, is too simplistic. Instead, it supports the idea that cells differentiate through the behavior of multiple genes in a network that leads to a few endpoints
Stem cells
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 12:41pm
Rating: | Views: 1151 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 12:41pm
Rating: | Views: 1151 | Comments: 0
Plague of kangaroos threatens one of Australia's last remaining original native grasslands
Australian Department of Defence is currently culling hundreds of kangaroos on the outskirts of the capital Canberra that have produced heated discussions and hit international headlines. Australia's iconic animal has multiplied so much over recent years that Canberra now has three times as many kangaroos as inhabitants.
Australian Department of Defence is currently culling hundreds of kangaroos on the outskirts of the capital Canberra that have produced heated discussions and hit international headlines. Australia's iconic animal has multiplied so much over recent years that Canberra now has three times as many kangaroos as inhabitants.
Environment
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 11:10am
Rating: | Views: 1264 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 11:10am
Rating: | Views: 1264 | Comments: 0
Panda Finds Way Home to Reserve After China Quake
The captive animal's instinct to return to the Wolong National Nature Reserve in central China raises hope that two pandas still missing will be found, an expert says.
The captive animal's instinct to return to the Wolong National Nature Reserve in central China raises hope that two pandas still missing will be found, an expert says.
Animals
Source: National Geographic
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 8:38am
Rating: | Views: 1440 | Comments: 0
Source: National Geographic
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 8:38am
Rating: | Views: 1440 | Comments: 0
Lab-Grown Meat a Reality, But Who Will Eat It?
A handful of scientists are now culturing meat from animal muscle cells, but don't look for it at the supermarket anytime soon. Costs are high, production models are nonexistent and few carnivores are clamoring for an alternative.
A handful of scientists are now culturing meat from animal muscle cells, but don't look for it at the supermarket anytime soon. Costs are high, production models are nonexistent and few carnivores are clamoring for an alternative.
Agriculture
Source: NPR
Posted on: Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 12:12pm
Rating: | Views: 1279 | Comments: 0
Source: NPR
Posted on: Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 12:12pm
Rating: | Views: 1279 | Comments: 0
Animal-Human Hybrids, Other Embryo Research Debated
U.K. lawmakers are considering allowing the use of human-animal hybrid embryos for stem cell research, legitimizing "savior siblings," and easing access to fertility treatments for single moms and lesbians.
U.K. lawmakers are considering allowing the use of human-animal hybrid embryos for stem cell research, legitimizing "savior siblings," and easing access to fertility treatments for single moms and lesbians.
Science Politics
Source: National Geographic
Posted on: Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 8:42am
Rating: | Views: 1703 | Comments: 0
Source: National Geographic
Posted on: Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 8:42am
Rating: | Views: 1703 | Comments: 0
The 10 smartest animals
Humans top the list of the most intelligent creatures But don't underestimate the other members of the animal kingdom. Scientists say the definition of animal vs. human intelligence is merely a matter of degree.
Humans top the list of the most intelligent creatures But don't underestimate the other members of the animal kingdom. Scientists say the definition of animal vs. human intelligence is merely a matter of degree.
Pavlov's Bacteria?
We've all heard of Pavlov's dogs, the famous canines trained by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov to associate food with the sound of a bell. Now, scientists have found that bacteria may be capable of similar behavior--an ability never seen in such simple organisms.
We've all heard of Pavlov's dogs, the famous canines trained by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov to associate food with the sound of a bell. Now, scientists have found that bacteria may be capable of similar behavior--an ability never seen in such simple organisms.
Microbiology
Source: Science
Posted on: Monday, May 12, 2008, 8:32am
Rating: | Views: 1541 | Comments: 0
Source: Science
Posted on: Monday, May 12, 2008, 8:32am
Rating: | Views: 1541 | Comments: 0
Platypus genome explains animal's peculiar features
The duck-billed platypus: part bird, part reptile, part mammal -- and the genome to prove it.
The duck-billed platypus: part bird, part reptile, part mammal -- and the genome to prove it.
Genetics
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, May 07, 2008, 12:44pm
Rating: | Views: 1339 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, May 07, 2008, 12:44pm
Rating: | Views: 1339 | Comments: 0
Pregnant women face hostile behavior when applying for jobs
Pregnant women may still face judgment and obstacles to getting jobs, shows two recent studies by George Mason University and Rice University professors.
Pregnant women may still face judgment and obstacles to getting jobs, shows two recent studies by George Mason University and Rice University professors.
Health
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, May 06, 2008, 1:10pm
Rating: | Views: 1425 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, May 06, 2008, 1:10pm
Rating: | Views: 1425 | Comments: 0
Picture: What Is This? A Toy Set for a Microscopic Child?
Here's a hint: It's part animal, part vegetable, and a smidge mineral.
Here's a hint: It's part animal, part vegetable, and a smidge mineral.
Misc
Source: Discover Magazine
Posted on: Tuesday, May 06, 2008, 8:52am
Rating: | Views: 1669 | Comments: 0
Source: Discover Magazine
Posted on: Tuesday, May 06, 2008, 8:52am
Rating: | Views: 1669 | Comments: 0
Study: Giant squid has biggest animal eyes in world
Marine scientists studying the carcass of a rare colossal squid said Wednesday they had measured its eye at about 11 inches across - bigger than a dinner plate - making it the largest animal eye on Earth.
Marine scientists studying the carcass of a rare colossal squid said Wednesday they had measured its eye at about 11 inches across - bigger than a dinner plate - making it the largest animal eye on Earth.
Marine Biology
Source: AOL News
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008, 10:12am
Rating: | Views: 1187 | Comments: 0
Source: AOL News
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008, 10:12am
Rating: | Views: 1187 | Comments: 0
It's a unisex brain with specific signals that trigger 'male' behavior
Research by Yale scientists shows that males and females have essentially unisex brains — at least in flies — according to a recent report in Cell designed to identify factors that are responsible for sex differences in behavior.
Research by Yale scientists shows that males and females have essentially unisex brains — at least in flies — according to a recent report in Cell designed to identify factors that are responsible for sex differences in behavior.
Neuroscience
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008, 9:29am
Rating: | Views: 1127 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008, 9:29am
Rating: | Views: 1127 | Comments: 0
Spinal cord injury research hampered by animal models, says new study
Research on traumatic spinal cord injuries is hampered by a reliance on animal experiments that don’t accurately predict human outcomes
Research on traumatic spinal cord injuries is hampered by a reliance on animal experiments that don’t accurately predict human outcomes
Neuroscience
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, Apr 28, 2008, 9:42am
Rating: | Views: 1175 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, Apr 28, 2008, 9:42am
Rating: | Views: 1175 | Comments: 0
Two suppressor molecules affect 70 genes in leukemia
By restoring two small molecules that are often lost in chronic leukemia, researchers were able to block tumor growth in an animal model.
By restoring two small molecules that are often lost in chronic leukemia, researchers were able to block tumor growth in an animal model.
Cancer
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 24, 2008, 2:29pm
Rating: | Views: 1135 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 24, 2008, 2:29pm
Rating: | Views: 1135 | Comments: 0
Study breaks ground in revealing how neurons generate movement
When the eye tracks a bird’s flight across the sky, the visual experience is normally smooth, without interruption. But underlying this behavior is a complex coordination of neurons that has remained mysterious to scientists. Now, UCSF researchers have broken ground in understanding how the brain generates this tracking motion
When the eye tracks a bird’s flight across the sky, the visual experience is normally smooth, without interruption. But underlying this behavior is a complex coordination of neurons that has remained mysterious to scientists. Now, UCSF researchers have broken ground in understanding how the brain generates this tracking motion
Neuroscience
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 24, 2008, 1:30pm
Rating: | Views: 1147 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 24, 2008, 1:30pm
Rating: | Views: 1147 | Comments: 0
Can certain metals repel sharks from fishing gear?
Sharks in captivity avoid metals that react with seawater to produce an electric field, a behavior that may help fishery biologists develop a strategy to reduce the bycatch of sharks in longline gear.
Sharks in captivity avoid metals that react with seawater to produce an electric field, a behavior that may help fishery biologists develop a strategy to reduce the bycatch of sharks in longline gear.
Ecology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008, 12:22pm
Rating: | Views: 1254 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008, 12:22pm
Rating: | Views: 1254 | Comments: 0
Low grades, bad behavior? Siblings may be to blame
We all know the story of a man named Brady and the group that somehow formed a family. But if the iconic ‘70s sitcom about a “blended” family reflected reality, the Brady Bunch likely would have been dealing with much more than silly sibling squabbles.
We all know the story of a man named Brady and the group that somehow formed a family. But if the iconic ‘70s sitcom about a “blended” family reflected reality, the Brady Bunch likely would have been dealing with much more than silly sibling squabbles.
Psychology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008, 12:22pm
Rating: | Views: 1252 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008, 12:22pm
Rating: | Views: 1252 | Comments: 0
Ceramic, heal thyself
A new computer simulation has revealed a self-healing behavior in a common ceramic that may lead to development of radiation-resistant materials for nuclear power plants and waste storage.
A new computer simulation has revealed a self-healing behavior in a common ceramic that may lead to development of radiation-resistant materials for nuclear power plants and waste storage.
Materials Science
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Friday, Apr 18, 2008, 4:31pm
Rating: | Views: 1234 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Friday, Apr 18, 2008, 4:31pm
Rating: | Views: 1234 | Comments: 0
Parents stricter with older kids to set example
Parents are more likely to punish their teen's risky behavior when there are younger kids in the family, driven by a desire to set a strict example for these siblings, says new game theory research from the University of Maryland, Duke University and The Johns Hopkins University.
Parents are more likely to punish their teen's risky behavior when there are younger kids in the family, driven by a desire to set a strict example for these siblings, says new game theory research from the University of Maryland, Duke University and The Johns Hopkins University.
Psychology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 17, 2008, 2:56pm
Rating: | Views: 1377 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 17, 2008, 2:56pm
Rating: | Views: 1377 | Comments: 0
Ancient dragon has space-age skull
The fearsome Komodo dragon is the world's largest living lizard and can take very large animal prey: now a new international study has revealed how it can be such an efficient killing machine despite having a wimpy bite and a featherweight skull.
The fearsome Komodo dragon is the world's largest living lizard and can take very large animal prey: now a new international study has revealed how it can be such an efficient killing machine despite having a wimpy bite and a featherweight skull.
Animals
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, Apr 14, 2008, 9:00am
Rating: | Views: 1229 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, Apr 14, 2008, 9:00am
Rating: | Views: 1229 | Comments: 0
Dangerous Cattle Virus On U.S. Mainland?
The Bush administration is likely to move its research on one of the most contagious animal diseases from an isolated island laboratory to the U.S. mainland near herds of livestock, raising concerns about a catastrophic outbreak.
The Bush administration is likely to move its research on one of the most contagious animal diseases from an isolated island laboratory to the U.S. mainland near herds of livestock, raising concerns about a catastrophic outbreak.
Agriculture
Source: CBS News
Posted on: Friday, Apr 11, 2008, 9:42am
Rating: | Views: 1200 | Comments: 0
Source: CBS News
Posted on: Friday, Apr 11, 2008, 9:42am
Rating: | Views: 1200 | Comments: 0
Does the Internet really influence suicidal behavior?
People searching the Internet for information about suicide methods are most likely to come across sites that encourage suicide rather than sites offering help and support, finds a study in this week’s issue of the BMJ.
People searching the Internet for information about suicide methods are most likely to come across sites that encourage suicide rather than sites offering help and support, finds a study in this week’s issue of the BMJ.
Psychology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Friday, Apr 11, 2008, 9:42am
Rating: | Views: 1285 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Friday, Apr 11, 2008, 9:42am
Rating: | Views: 1285 | Comments: 0
And the first animal on Earth was a...
A new study mapping the evolutionary history of animals indicates that Earth's first animal--a mysterious creature whose characteristics can only be inferred from fossils and studies of living animals--was probably significantly more complex than previously believed.
A new study mapping the evolutionary history of animals indicates that Earth's first animal--a mysterious creature whose characteristics can only be inferred from fossils and studies of living animals--was probably significantly more complex than previously believed.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 10, 2008, 2:42pm
Rating: | Views: 1160 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 10, 2008, 2:42pm
Rating: | Views: 1160 | Comments: 0
'Black gold agriculture' may revolutionize farming, curb global warming
Fifteen hundred years ago, tribes people from the central Amazon basin mixed their soil with charcoal derived from animal bone and tree bark. Today, at the site of this charcoal deposit, scientists have found some of the richest, most fertile soil in the world.
Fifteen hundred years ago, tribes people from the central Amazon basin mixed their soil with charcoal derived from animal bone and tree bark. Today, at the site of this charcoal deposit, scientists have found some of the richest, most fertile soil in the world.
Agriculture
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 10, 2008, 2:42pm
Rating: | Views: 1249 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 10, 2008, 2:42pm
Rating: | Views: 1249 | Comments: 0
"Lyuba" gives scientists glimpse of mammoth insides
Russian scientists say they have obtained the most detailed pictures so far of the insides of a prehistoric animal, with the help of a baby mammoth called Lyuba found immaculately preserved in the Russian Arctic.
Russian scientists say they have obtained the most detailed pictures so far of the insides of a prehistoric animal, with the help of a baby mammoth called Lyuba found immaculately preserved in the Russian Arctic.
Paleontology
Source: Reuters
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 10, 2008, 9:25am
Rating: | Views: 1444 | Comments: 0
Source: Reuters
Posted on: Thursday, Apr 10, 2008, 9:25am
Rating: | Views: 1444 | Comments: 0
Evidence now suggests eating soy foods in puberty protects against breast cancer
Evidence is growing from animal and human studies that genistein, a potent chemical found in soy, protects against development of breast cancer - but only if consumed during puberty. The challenge now is for scientists to understand precisely why soy appears to provide a shield against the most common cancer in women.
Evidence is growing from animal and human studies that genistein, a potent chemical found in soy, protects against development of breast cancer - but only if consumed during puberty. The challenge now is for scientists to understand precisely why soy appears to provide a shield against the most common cancer in women.
Development
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008, 8:53am
Rating: | Views: 1256 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008, 8:53am
Rating: | Views: 1256 | Comments: 0
Video: Disappearing Cheetahs Find Help in So. Africa
The cheetah — fastest animal on Earth — is running out of time. Though cheetahs can reach 45 miles per hour in just 3 seconds, they have slowly been dying out.
The cheetah — fastest animal on Earth — is running out of time. Though cheetahs can reach 45 miles per hour in just 3 seconds, they have slowly been dying out.
New study finds anticipating a laugh reduces our stress hormones
In 2006 researchers investigating the interaction between the brain, behavior, and the immune system found that simply anticipating a mirthful laughter experience boosted health-protecting hormones.
In 2006 researchers investigating the interaction between the brain, behavior, and the immune system found that simply anticipating a mirthful laughter experience boosted health-protecting hormones.
Health
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, Apr 07, 2008, 10:44am
Rating: | Views: 1123 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, Apr 07, 2008, 10:44am
Rating: | Views: 1123 | Comments: 0
Early neglect predicts aggressive behavior in children
Children who are neglected before their second birthday display higher levels of aggressive behavior between ages 4 and 8, according to a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study, published today in the journal Pediatrics.
Children who are neglected before their second birthday display higher levels of aggressive behavior between ages 4 and 8, according to a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study, published today in the journal Pediatrics.
Psychology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, Apr 07, 2008, 9:29am
Rating: | Views: 1132 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, Apr 07, 2008, 9:29am
Rating: | Views: 1132 | Comments: 0
Lucky squirrels born with 'silver spoon' effect
As the saying goes, some people are born with silver spoons in their mouths. The same goes for at least one species of the animal world, according to research done in part by the University of Alberta.
As the saying goes, some people are born with silver spoons in their mouths. The same goes for at least one species of the animal world, according to research done in part by the University of Alberta.
Development
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Friday, Apr 04, 2008, 10:25am
Rating: | Views: 1212 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Friday, Apr 04, 2008, 10:25am
Rating: | Views: 1212 | Comments: 0
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