John Travis

All Stories by John Travis

  1. Wash that mouth out with bacteria!

    Genetically engineered bacteria may stop tooth decay by replacing the ones in the mouth that destroy tooth enamel.

  2. Humans

    Message in DNA tops Science Talent Search

    A project on encrypting words within a strand of DNA won the top prize at the Intel Science Talent Search.

  3. Health & Medicine

    HIV sexual spread exploits immune sentinels

    The virus that causes AIDS latches onto a protein called DC-SIGN to hitch a ride on immune cells in mucus membranes and spread through the body.

  4. Health & Medicine

    Fused cells hold promise of cancer vaccines

    A vaccine composed of tumor cells fused to immune cells has helped several people survive advanced kidney cancer.

  5. Hear, hear: Key ear part regenerates

    Hairlike projections that allow ears to detect sounds regenerate every 2 days.

  6. Health & Medicine

    Bacteria offer drug for organ recipients

    Korean investigators have identified a compound that suppresses the immune system of animals.

  7. Health & Medicine

    You’re Feeling Sleepy . . . : Anesthetics activate brain’s sleep switch

    Anesthesia's sedative effect may depend on activating sleep circuits in the brain.

  8. Anthrax Stopper: Viral enzyme detects, kills bacterium

    A virus that preys upon the anthrax bacterium produces an enzyme that can be exploited to detect and kill the biowarfare agent.

  9. Nogo makes cord regrowth a no go

    Researchers have identified the gene for a protein that inhibits the regrowth of nerves in the spinal cord.

  10. Protein may help the eyes tell time

    A human version of melanopsin, originally found in the skin, eyes, and brains of frogs, has been discovered in the inner retina and may be the long-sought photoreceptor for the human biological clock.

  11. Two Meningitis Bacteria Yield Genomes

    Scientists have sequenced all the genes of two strains of a bacterium that causes meningitis, which may lead to the development of a much-needed vaccine

  12. Health & Medicine

    Toxin Trumped: New malaria vaccine protects mice

    An experimental vaccine neutralizes a toxic molecule made by malaria-causing parasites.