John Travis

All Stories by John Travis

  1. Gene influences density of the skeleton

    The mutated gene responsible for a rare bone disorder has been found.

  2. Gene defect leads to warts and more

    Scientists have found the gene for an immunodeficiency syndrome.

  3. DNA hints at origin of all language

    A genetic study of African tribes suggests early language contained clicking sounds.

  4. Dolly Was Lucky

    Scientists studying the data on animal cloning argue that cloning a person would be unsafe.

  5. Health & Medicine

    Sperm Protein May Lead to Male Pill

    A protein that helps sperm move their tails may be a perfect target for a male contraceptive.

  6. Brain scans reveal human pheromones

    Male and female brains react differently to two putative pheromones, compounds related to the hormones testosterone and estrogen.

  7. NO says yes to breathing fast

    A form of nitric oxide tells the brain when the body needs to breathe faster.

  8. Vesicles may help embryos take shape

    Chemicals that shape developing embryos may hitch rides in vesicles called argosomes.

  9. Health & Medicine

    Aging cells may promote tumors nearby

    Cells that enter a state called senescence in older individuals may stimulate nearby cells to become tumors.

  10. Health & Medicine

    Blood vessels (sans blood) shape organs

    Even before they begin to carry blood, blood vessels provide signals that help spark the development of organs such as the liver.

  11. Health & Medicine

    Alcohol on your breath need not be all bad

    Drugs such as insulin may be delivered by inhaling mists of medicine-containing alcohol.

  12. Brief diet alters gene activity

    Even a short-term diet may activate anti-aging genes.