Sunday, April 27, 2014

This week in biology/medicine (April 21-27, 2014)

Hey folks,
Tomorrow is the big day, and then I'll be back writing my regular posts.  There was a lot of really cool developments in science this week, here are the highlights:

While the bacterial and fungal life in the Chernobyl area hasn't quite bounced back, it seems the birds are doing quite well in adapting to the radiation.

The Y chromosome isn't so unimportant after all.

Your smartphone could soon become a microscope.

Ravens have a pecking order, and they keep track of it.

Monkeys can do math, there go all of our excuses... (Open Access)

Researchers have discovered a new genetic brain disorder, and Cell has made the papers freely available for two months! (Open Access)

Microbes provide insight into human language development (Open Access)

A new antiviral particle may be useful in protecting against ebola.

Lab-grown skin has the potential to replace animal testing!

National Geographic has created a ranking of the exoplanets most able to support life as we know it.

Scientists are making mantis shrimp inspired superstrong materials that could be used in making armor, cars, and space ships!

And interestingly, the humpback whale is no longer considered threatened in Canada.  The debate on whether this decision is based in scientific evidence or in economical policy rages on.

No comments:

Post a Comment