Ben Locwin
Tired? Biological clock out of whack? Blame genes and epigenetics
We spend a third of our life asleep, so getting it right is important. Researchers probing our daily biological clock—our ...
Do you buy ‘gluten free’ products? Real chance they have gluten in it
New research suggests that that most people who claim a gluten sensitivity are being swept up in what amounts to ...
Which tastes better: Conventional or organic foods? A tale of two apples
Many studies (e.g., here) have broached the topic of the taste and ‘quality’ of organic food versus conventional. Robustly, The ...
Targeted antibiotic treatments–What’s on the horizon?
New research is uncovering ways of modifying bacterial enzymes to make future antibiotics more specific - and thus less likely ...
Our GPS brain: What is the ‘doorway effect’ and how do we orient ourselves
How does memory and what amounts to a GPS system in our brain root us in the world? That's the ...
Single dose of anti-depressant alters brain? Maybe, but what does that mean?
All drugs "alter" the brain's connectivity, so that's hardly a surprise. But what does that mean? Are the changes ongoing ...
Who makes better space travelers–introverts or extroverts?
Is the long-run future of civilization to select-for those who are introverts? Is intro/extroversion genetically mediated? How might extended space ...
Diet soda and sweeteners alter gut bacteria, contributing to obesity? Not so fast.
According to a just-released study in Nature, rather than helping you avoid consuming fat-producing calories, sugar-free sodas and 'diet' snacks ...
How brushing your teeth affects the microbiome of the placenta and infant
I’ve written in the past regarding some of the seminal hypotheses of how the microbiome influences our health, behavior, and ...
Addiction: How our genes program our preferences and habits
Just 11 genes successfully identify who is likely to have problems with alcohol abuse and who will not. Does this ...
Deconstructing the polarizing debate over ‘3-parent babies’
On most issues, the public debate follows a normal distribution curve, with the majority in the 'muddled middle'. That's not ...
Food labels: Gimmicks or guides to the future of food?
We are experiencing a labeling orgy. Consumers with no gluten allergies are snapping up gluten free producers. Non-GMO labels pump ...
Black Plague modified human genes, no biotech needed
Evidence continues to build that at least part of our ancestors’ story is encoded in our DNA--and the information comes ...
When is a ‘modified organism’ a GMO?
Where is the threshold between natural "involvement" and unnatural "interference" when using technology to improve our food? ...
What causes diabetes? Genes and viruses likely culprits
Scientists know there is a genetic component to diabetes, but the origins of the disease remain elusive, with genetics and ...
Can grapefruits be dangerous with drugs? The answer is in our genes
Many people believe that just because a food is unprocessed that it's safe. But many foods can interact with drugs, ...
New York Times flunks genetic literacy challenge: No, mutations don’t kill-off genes
The New York Times failed a recent genetic literacy 'test' in a story on the genetic roots of diabetes ...