Science Literacy Project Daily Digest
Decoding synthetic biology
Biology Professor Vincent Martin describes synthetic biology as applying principles of engineering to biology — understanding how different pieces work ...
Farmers, activists seek ban on genetically modified plants in Oregon’s Jackson County
A group of local farmers and food activists wants Jackson County to pass an ordinance banning the planting of genetically ...
Grower develops GMO apple that won’t turn brown
An Okanagan orchardist is trying to get the OK for a genetically modified apple that won't turn brown, but his ...
Destroy GMO-tainted papaya crops, researcher says
Academics yesterday called on the Agriculture Department to destroy farms growing Hawaiian papaya in Kanchanaburi province after a recent study ...
Big brained mice created in lab, could provide insight into how the human brain works and develops
Mice with a single missing gene have brains that are 35 percent larger than normal, a new study found. Though ...
The biology of political narcissism: Donkey brains vs. Elephant grey matter
Anti-Republican science writer Chris Mooney stirred a hornets nest of controversy with the publication of his recent book, The Republican ...
Clues to restore human fingers and toes via animal hair, feathers
In their review, researchers have shed light on possible routes that unlock cellular regeneration in general, and the principles by ...
By accident, scientists discover how commonest DNA replication error is corrected
Scientists have discovered the enzyme in our cells which corrects the most frequently occurring mistake in DNA as cells divide ...
Men can rest easy – sex chromosomes are here to stay
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), looked at how genes on sex-linked ...
Farmers, activists seek ban on genetically modified plants in Oregon’s Jackson County
A group of local farmers and food activists wants Jackson County to pass an ordinance banning the planting of genetically ...
Anti-GMO group raises concerns about GM products
Biotechnology's promise to feed the world did not anticipate "Trojan corn," "super weeds" and the disappearance of monarch butterflies. But ...
Researchers mark milestone in pursuit of switchgrass genome
In Washington, in an attempt to piece together the switchgrass genome, the DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI) in an international ...
Farmers challenge GM trials on BBC’s Newsnight
Conventional wheat farmer Peter Lundgren will join other GM sceptics in a public debate on Rothamsteds GM wheat trial hosted ...
Stem cells boost brain tumor treatments for some patients, study finds
Patients with brain cancer may face devastating side effects from chemotherapy, but a new study offers a possible solution: stem ...
GM wheat trial promises fiery TV debate
Campaigners are set to lock horns with the scientists behind the GM wheat trial at Rothamsted Research in a live ...
Human genes transplanted into zebrafish: Helps identify genes related to autism, schizophrenia and obesity
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center transplanted a set of human genes into a zebrafish and then used it to ...
Specialty crop group petitions EPA on herbicide-resistant crops
A coalition within the U.S. specialty crop industry has petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health ...
Human or superhuman?
Human genetic engineering has always been the stuff of science-fiction novels and blockbuster Hollywood films. Except that it is no ...
Maps of Miscanthus genome offer insight into grass evolution
Miscanthus grasses are used in gardens, burned for heat and energy, and converted into liquid fuels. They also belong to ...
Study identifies how skeletal muscle stem cells respond to muscle injury
A study conducted by Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland scientists identifies how skeletal muscle stem cells respond to muscle ...
Government scientists won’t stop field-testing of BT eggplant
Government scientists will continue field testing a genetically modified eggplant despite the Supreme Court’s (SC) issuance of a writ of ...
Stem cell therapy to treat a chimp’s torn ACL may prove beneficial for humans
Veterinarians hope a new medical procedure can treat a 25-year-old chimpanzee with a torn ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, at ...
Superweeds: A long-predicted problem for GM crops has arrived
I was a member of the FDA Food Advisory Committee when the agency approved production of genetically modified foods in ...
Genes are overrated, genetics is underrated
A few days ago Nathaniel Comfort pointed me to this post, Genetic determinism round-up. If you are curious go read ...
‘Faithful judgments’ in bioethics
It's a bit of a cliché to point out that the new reproductive and genetic technologies (NRGTs) have a way ...
Bt eggplant safe for humans, environment says study
Studies conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed that the genetically modified eggplant being tested in the country is ...
Why biotech food labeling is met with resistance
In recent weeks, there’s been a lot of new discussion around the biotech labeling debate. On May 10, the International ...
