Life
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Genetics
Early heart attack tied to rare mutations in two genes
Rare mutations in two genes greatly increase the risk of having a heart attack early in life, a study shows.
- Life
Imprisoning parasites can deter malaria’s spread
Disabling a protein traps malaria-causing parasites within red blood cells and prevents the organisms from reproducing.
- Genetics
New type of stem cells, fuzzy and flexible
A new way to make stem cells produces fuzzy cells that appear as flexible as other types of stem cells, but are easier to grow in the lab and avoid ethical issues.
- Animals
Male monkeys’ social bonds may ease everyday stress
When male primates live in groups with other males, they tend to fight over females. But male-male bonding can reduce stress, a study finds.
- Animals
Finch sperm go long to fertilize more eggs
For finches, longer sperm mean a faster route to storage and a higher likelihood of being a dad at the end of the day.
- Neuroscience
Molecule impairs brain cells that fail in Alzheimer’s
In mice, blocking a molecule on immune cells allowed them to mop up the type of protein buildup seen in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.
- Animals
‘Tis the season for white-nose syndrome in bats
While bats are active, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome stays put in the caves the bats call home in winter. New findings show how the fungus varies through the seasons.
- Neuroscience
Place cells in brain reveal how memories are kept separate
Place cells' distinct firing patterns reveal how the brain has such a huge capacity for storing memories and distinguishing them from one another.
- Health & Medicine
Cells in groups may promote cancer’s spread
Cellular gangs, not individuals, form distant tumors from breast malignancies, a new study finds.
- Science & Society
Microsoft cofounder funds new institute for cell science
The Allen Institute for Cell Science will be housed in the same building in Seattle as the Allen Institute for Brain Science.
- Animals
That puffed-up pufferfish isn’t holding its breath
Pufferfish can breathe just fine even when they puff themselves out with water, a new study finds.
- Life
Softer surroundings stifle some chemotherapy drugs
Some anticancer drugs such as Gleevec are less effective when attacking cancer cells grown in soft surroundings.
