John Travis

All Stories by John Travis

  1. Brain-Cell Loss Found in Narcolepsy

    The puzzling sleep disorder known as narcolepsy stems from the destruction of a small group of brain cells.

  2. Getting an Earful: With gene therapy, ears grow new sensory cells

    Scientists have for the first time coaxed the growth of new sensory cells within the ears of an adult mammal.

  3. Salamander moms use bacteria to save eggs from fungi

    Salamander skin has bacteria that repel egg-destroying mold.

  4. Bulletproof bacteria

    Bacteria can survive being blasted into space.

  5. Smoking out microbes

    The addictive compound nicotine kills bacteria, which may explain why smokers get lung disease.

  6. Some like it hotter

    A microbe found on the ocean floor can grow at 121°C, a new record for the upper temperature limit for life.

  7. Chopping up a microbial tail

    An enzyme made by immune cells destroys the proteins that make up bacterial tails.

  8. Eggs and more grown from mouse stem cells

    Stem cells from mouse embryos can be converted into eggs, skin, or heart muscle.

  9. Gut Check

    The normal microbial inhabitants of our intestines do a lot for their host.

  10. Memorable Shot: Smallpox vaccine has lasting effect

    People vaccinated against smallpox decades ago may retain significant immunity to the virus that causes the disease.

  11. Health & Medicine

    Eating right early might reduce premature births

    Malnutrition around the time of conception may promote early delivery of offspring.

  12. Gypsy Secret: Children of sea see clearly underwater

    Children who regularly dive to collect food have better-than-normal underwater vision because their eyes adapt to the liquid environment.