August 2nd, 2008
issue
Photos: Getty/Siri Stafford; iStockphoto/luismmolina On the cover: Inserting foreign genes that boost strength and endurance into DNA may appeal to athletes -- leading anti-doping officials to search for ways to test competitors for signs of gene doping. Full story.
  • Finding the Golden Genes
    Advances in gene therapy could tempt some athletes to enhance their genetic makeup, leading some researchers to work on detection methods just in case. (p. 16)
  • Insightful Light
    Raman spectroscopy may offer doctors, dentists and forensic scientists a better tool for molecular detection.
  • Decoding the Quantum Mystery
    An essay by Tom Siegfried, SN's Editor in Chief, explores how signals from space to Earth could establish the reality of Einstein's worst fear.
  • Astrocytes are rising stars
    Astrocytes, brain cells previously thought to be support cells for neurons, regulate blood flow in the brain and may aid neuron signaling. The regulation of blood flow makes visualizing brain activity with fMRI possible.
  • Messages from Mercury
    Data collected by the MESSENGER spacecraft as it flew past Mercury last January has revealed the origin of the planet’s magnetic field, discovered evidence of early volcanic activity and provided a first look at the planet’s surface composition.
  • Postcards from the edge
    New data about the edge of the solar system offer surprises about how the sun interacts with our galaxy.
  • Location matters
    Scientists find the role of dopamine varies from one end of a brain region to another.
  • Repairing muscle from the cell up
    Skeletal muscle stem cells can fix weakling muscles in mice and could eventually lead to treatments for muscular dystrophy.
  • Farm life turns male toads female
    A detailed inventory of toads in Florida finds that, as land becomes more agricultural, more cane toads resemble females both inside and out.
  • Fossils, now available in color
    Fossilized feathers of an early bird or dinosaur may retain evidence of pigment, offering a chance to animal colors of the Cretaceous.
  • Embryos can learn visually
    For cuttlefish embryos, what they see is what they'll crave as food later
  • A wandering eye
    New look at fossils of primitive flatfish reveals how these fish evolved eyes on one side of their head
  • Frog builds toes, then legs
    A small frog appears to jump-start its skeletal development, turning on genes for building feet and toes before bothering to build its legs.
  • Recipe for an avalanche
    The start of an avalanche is more about the snow than the slope.
  • Lunar liquid
    A new analysis of moon rocks has revealed that the moon isn’t as bone dry as researchers had thought, whetting the appetite of scientists who seek a deeper understanding of how Earth’s only natural satellite arose and evolved.
  • Precious little gems
    Ancient microdiamonds embedded inside ancient zircons found in western Australia suggest that life may have existed on Earth up to 4.25 billion years ago.
  • Howdy, neighbor!
    About 800 million years ago, East Antarctica, now one of the coldest regions on Earth, abutted what is now Death Valley, Calif., one of the hottest.
  • Fountain of Youth, with caveats
    A chemical in red wine thought to mimic the life-extending properties of calorie restriction improves health, but doesn’t necessarily lengthen life; it could also harm the brain.
  • Shared recipes for longer life
    Being female and eating a calorie-restricted diet contribute to long lifespan in animals, and the two traits may share molecular mechanisms.
  • It’s DNA Jim, but not as we know it
    Chemists synthesized a DNA-like molecule using unnatural versions of the “letters” that make up the genetic code.
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Janet Raloff
Science & the Public By Janet Raloff Oct 3rd 2008
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Julie Rehmeyer
Math Trek By Julie Rehmeyer
The U.S. News &World Report rankings of colleges and universities are largely arbitrary, according to a new mathematical analysis. Oct 3rd 2008
Undeclared
Comment By Guest Columnists
From the October 11, 2008 issue of Science News Sep 26th 2008
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