Of Mice & Meth . . .

Of Mice & Meth . . .

Have you ever wondered how illegal street drugs affect the neurochemistry of rats? If so you’re either a pharmaceutical researcher or a little weird. Either way, we think you’ll enjoy this interactive cartoon developed by the Learning Center at the University of Utah, which lets you learn about the[...]

Scientists Genetically Engineer Mice with Better Vision

Johns Hopkins and University of California Santa Barbara researchers demonstrated enhancement of vision in mice by introducing a human gene that codes for the receptor on long-wavelength-sensitive (L) cones of the human retina. Mice normally possess short-wavelength-sensitive (S) and medium-wavelength-sensitive (M) cone cells. Hence their vision is skewed away from[...]

Oh Liver, Heal Thyself

Neurobiologist Katerina Akassoglou, at the University of California, has made a breakthrough in understanding the regenerative properties of the human liver. Cirrhotic livers everywhere raise their glasses to her in appreciation. Researchers may have identified a master switch that activates the liver’s ability to heal itself, suggesting a route[...]

Bacterial Ear Infection? Try Spraying A Virus Up Your Nose

Doctors may soon have researchers Vincent Fischetti and Jonathan McCullers to thank for being able to offer parents an alternative treatment to traditional antibiotics for ear infections. Every year, millions of children suffer painful earache caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. Tests on mice now suggest that a nasal spray[...]