Notebook Articles - culture, genetics and disease/medicine

Genghis Jon

By Cristina Luiggi | February 1, 2012

By helping Mongolians cultivate an understanding of their native insect fauna, scientists hope to protect the country's unique yet fragile ecosystems.

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Reading Tea Leaves

By Jef Akst | February 1, 2012

Cyclic peptides, discovered in an African tea used to speed labor and delivery, may hold potential as drug-stabilizing scaffolds, antibiotics, and anticancer drugs.

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Science Afield

By Jef Akst | February 1, 2012

Portable wet-lab kits allow even soldiers stationed in war zones to earn college science credits.

9 Comments

Sweet and Sour Science

By Ruth Williams | February 1, 2012

Japanese researchers unravel the mystery of miracle fruit.

18 Comments

Bat Luck

By Cristina Luiggi | January 1, 2012

An intrepid researcher and her team battle the elements and bouts of misfortune to explore the biodiversity of a brand new African country.

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Cat Cravings

By Jef Akst | January 1, 2012

A mutated feline receptor for sweet tastes explains why cats don’t love sugar but do dig mushrooms.

36 Comments

Lost Colony DNA

By Kerry Grens | January 1, 2012

Genotyping could answer a centuries-old mystery about a vanished group of British settlers.

94 Comments

Cetacean Cures

By Jef Akst | December 1, 2011

Dolphins heal amazingly quickly from shark bites, with no swelling, infection, and seemingly little pain, but how do they do it?

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Punch Drunk

By Jef Akst | December 1, 2011

After a concussion forces him to retire, a former pro-wrestler starts an institute to study the neurological effects of repeated brain injuries.

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The story of a group of high school students who, with the help of a Rockefeller University researcher, conducted and published studies on the biological provenance of sushi and teas from around New York City.

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