November 2011

Cut off a newt’s tail or a leg, or remove a lens from its eye, and it grows back. However, whether newts can continue to do this throughout their lives, or lose the ability as they get older, has remained a mystery. 

Genomicist Mark Stoeckle and three high school students have taken do-it-yourself science to a new level. 

In February 2009, a bottlenose dolphin named Nari swam up to the Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort on Moreton Island off Australia’s Queensland. 

A 19th century geologist and minister investigates a prehistoric cave full of hyena bones in his native England.

Researchers find that newts are capable of regenerating body parts well into old age.

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

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

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.

After a roller-coaster of an October, The Scientist resumes publication under new ownership.

Meet some of the people featured in the November/December 2011 issue of The Scientist.

A prescription for educating the public on the value of using animals in medical research

Advances in cell-culture technologies are paving the way to the complete elimination of animals from the laboratory.

Editor’s Choice in Neuroscience

Editor’s choice in immunology

Editor’s choice in Cell Biology

Through a series of sustained collaborations, Joshua Sanes has deciphered the molecular synergy that guides synapse formation.

On hearing the news in early October that The Scientist would cease publication, our readers voiced their dismay. In mid-October, we were resurrected, and our readers came out again to express their relief.

A poet finds artistic inspiration in her work as a scientist and new perceptions in the lines and linkages of her art.

Full Professor and Senior Research Group Leader, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Age: 42

New, minimally invasive techniques for seeing deep inside living brains

A rundown of tools on the market and in development

The unique taste bud patterning in people who have super-charged senses of taste

The tongue may be the epicenter of taste sensation, but taste receptors are scattered throughout the digestive and respiratory tracts.

Researchers are close to finding a receptor directly triggered by fatty acids.

Tagging antibodies with rare earth metals instead of fluorescent molecules turns a veteran technique into a high-throughput powerhouse.

Federal agencies offer interesting opportunities for researchers looking to do more than bench work.