Work With Power Grids Leads To Cell Biology Discovery
ScienceDaily (Mar. 19, 2008) — Gene therapy, in which a working gene is inserted into a cell to replace a faulty or absent gene, is a promising experimental technique for the prevention and treatment of disease. Now a research team led by a Northwestern University physicist reports that a counterintuitive approach also holds promise. The targeted removal of genes — the exact opposite of what a gene therapist would do — can restore cellular function in cells with genetic defects, such as mutations.

Genetic Medicine Making Inroads Against Disease
Advances against PTSD, bone loss and heart woes cited in new research

Gene for brain connections linked with autism
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A gene that helps the brain make connections may underlie a significant number of autism cases, researchers in the United States reported on Tuesday. 

Genes help explain post-trauma puzzle
CHICAGO – Cutting-edge new research helps answer the puzzling question of why post-traumatic stress doesn’t happen to everyone who endures horrible trauma.

Zebrafish Enables Cell Regeneration Studies To Help Understand, Treat Human Disease
ScienceDaily (Mar. 19, 2008) — One aquarium fish’s uncanny ability to regenerate essentially any cell type has given scientists a way to mimic cell loss that occurs in diseases such as Parkinson’s and diabetes then watch how the fish make more of them.

Fewer Steps Per Day Send Disease Markers Up
Insulin levels hike very fast when daily physical activity declines, Danish study found.

Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy Works in Fewer, But Higher Doses
The regimen is less challenging for patients but equally effective in preventing relapse, British studies find.

10 Million Baby Boomers Face Alzheimer’s, Report Predicts
Alzheimer’s group says estimate would effectively strain health-care system.

Workers uncovering mummified dinosaur
BISMARCK, N.D. – Using tiny brushes and chisels, workers picking at a big greenish-black rock in the basement of North Dakota’s state museum are meticulously uncovering something amazing: a nearly complete dinosaur, skin and all.

Robot moved to perch outside NASA lab
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Dextre the robot got a prime parking spot at the international space station and should be able to keep it for at least a few months.

First Solar-Powered Satellite Still Flying at 50
The first solar-powered satellite is also the oldest satellite still in Earth orbit.

Cosmic Clean-Up: Wild Ideas to Sweep Space
Some wacky ideas could help to clean up the junkyard of space.

Water Vapor Hints at Planets Forming Around Nearby Stars
Scientists have detected water vapor in the spinning disks that surround two newly formed stars, where planets are born… The discovery, set for publication in the March 20 issue of the Astrophysical Journal Letters, brings scientists one step closer to understanding water’s role in Earth-like planet formation.