Christen Brownlee

All Stories by Christen Brownlee

  1. Health & Medicine

    Statins for Algernon: Cholesterol-lowering drug fights learning disability

    A study in mice suggests that a drug prescribed for high cholesterol may reverse learning deficits caused by a common genetic disease.

  2. Health & Medicine

    A toast to thin blood

    Moderate consumption of alcohol may make a person's blood less likely to clot.

  3. SNPs Ahoy! Scientists complete map of genetic differences

    A new map that delineates small genetic differences among people may be a powerful tool for figuring out why some individuals get certain diseases and how to customize their treatments.

  4. Do No Harm: Stem cells created without destroying healthy embryos

    Scientists have devised ways to isolate embryonic stem cells from mice without destroying viable embryos.

  5. Health & Medicine

    Eating disorders may have autoimmune roots

    Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa may be autoimmune diseases, according to a new study.

  6. High Times for Brain Growth: Marijuana-like drug multiplies neurons

    A drug that functions as concentrated marijuana does may spur the process by which the brain gives birth to new nerve cells.

  7. Health & Medicine

    Vitamin C may treat cancer after all

    Vitamin C may be an effective cancer fighter when taken intravenously in high doses.

  8. Killer Findings: Scientists piece together 1918-flu virus

    Two new studies shed light on the 1918-flu virus by wrapping up efforts to sequence its genome and reconstructing its genes into a living model.

  9. Milky seas clarified

    With the help of satellites, scientists have obtained the first-ever photos of an expanse of seawater filled with bioluminescent bacteria.

  10. Living History

    Bacteria and fungi living on artworks and artifacts often cause extensive damage.

  11. Health & Medicine

    Oral Exams

    Scientists are taking advantage of the components in spit to develop new, saliva-based diagnostic tests.

  12. Olives Alive: Extra-virgin oil has anti-inflammatory properties

    A molecule isolated from extra-virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of ibuprofen.