Armadillo Vision
The armadillo’s poor eyesight is helping researchers understand the genes behind certain forms of blindness.
Phantom Limb Pain
After losing a limb to amputation, many people often feel severe pain emanating from the non-existent appendage anyway. A new treatment targeting nerves could turn off the pain signals.
Retrieving Lost Memories
In a mouse model of early Alzheimer’s disease, scientists used light to trigger memories that the mice had forgotten.
Mouse Obesity Enzyme
While studying learning and memory in the brain, neuroscientists stumbled upon a surprising clue to obesity.
Cactus Water Filter
The drought-defying interior of the prickly pear cactus holds a secret to purifying water.
Insect Wings & Vision
Futuristic eye implants could fight microbes with structures that mimic the bacteria busting wings of insects.
Disease Fighting Beer Hops
Scientists are isolating and synthesizing the chemical compounds that make hops bitter, and studying their medicinal properties.
Flu Shots & Pregnancy
Flu shots protect pregnant women - and their babies.
Podcast for 5 August 2011
BATS & DOLPHINS (Encore Presentation): Dolphins that heal themselves, and dolphins that use electroreception in addition to echolocation. Also, How vampire bats find their prey, and how a Cuban plant takes advantage of a bat's ability to echolocate.
Cybathlon
Implantable pulse generators help turn paralyzed patients into bionic athletes.
Neandertal Legacy
Neandertals contributed to genetic risk factors for some of today’s health problems and even mood disorders in people of European and Asian descent.
Race & Genetics Research
Some researchers argue that the concept of race should be eliminated from genetic studies.
Parasites & Chimp Behavior
A microscopic parasite compels chimpanzees toward their worst enemy.
Exercise & Weight Loss
Intense exercisers may burn no more calories per day than people who don’t exercise regularly.
Magnetic Gels Fix Muscles
A muscle-repairing implant may suppress inflammation and grow new tissue.
Social Health
How do social relationships affect our biochemistry and health?
Baby Tooth Cavities
Baby teeth fall out eventually. But that doesn't mean cavities in baby teeth should be ignored.
Neanderthal Inheritance
Did modern humans inherit allergies from Neanderthals?
Reversing Blindness in India
A project that restores sight to blind people in India is highlighting the resiliency of the human brain.
Medical Roundup
Slowing Alzheimer’s disease by cleansing the brain of toxic proteins; also, new findings on a sweet-tooth hormone.
Adjustable Nerve Block
A high-tech injectable drug delivery system will allow patients to control their pain relief with near-infrared light.
Top Science Breakthrough of 2015: CRISPR Gene Editing
The top Science Breakthrough of the Year: A low-cost genetic engineering technique is creating both excitement and concern.
Saliva & Survival
A simple saliva test of antibody levels may serve as a marker for general health.