Biologists are Engineering Kill Switches for GM Microbes
To keep old trains running, operators had to keep a firm grip on a dead man’s switch. If the operator became incapacitated or, well, dead, his hand would loosen, the…
human biology
Early probiotic use may decrease risk of islet autoimmunity in children at risk for type 1 diabetes
Probiotic exposure during the first 27 days of an infant’s life may be associated with reduced risk of islet autoimmunity among children at increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes,…
Chimpanzees Shed Light on Origins of Human Walking
A research team led by Stony Brook University investigating human and chimpanzee locomotion have uncovered unexpected similarities in the way the two species use their upper body during two-legged walking….
Homo Naledi, New Species in Human Lineage, Is Found in South African Cave
Acting on a tip from spelunkers two years ago, scientists in South Africa discovered what the cavers had only dimly glimpsed through a crack in a limestone wall deep in the…
The Biological Origins of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Male? Female? The distinction is not always clear. Exploring the scientific evidence for the biological origins of sexual orientation and gender identity must continue to both enhance patient care and…
Wired For Habit
We are creatures of habit, nearly mindlessly executing routine after routine. Some habits we feel good about; others, less so. Habits are, after all, thought to be driven by reward-seeking…