John Travis

All Stories by John Travis

  1. Health & Medicine

    Anthrax toxin curbs immune cells

    A toxin produced by the anthrax bacterium suppresses cells that launch the body's immune response.

  2. Old Worms, New Aging Genes

    The genes and hormonal signals that regulate life span in worms may do the same in people.

  3. Beyond Clots: Platelets in blood may guide immune response

    Platelets, best known for their ability to create blood clots in wounds, may also have a role in the immune system.

  4. Health & Medicine

    Keeping breathing steady and safe

    Scientists may have found a way to avoid the lowered breathing rate that comes from treatment with morphine or other opiate-based narcotics and anesthetics.

  5. Down the Tubes: Amino acid proves key to plant reproduction

    An amino acid that human brain cells communicate with also has a role in plant sex.

  6. Let there be light

    Ultraviolet light may have favored, not hindered, the creation of RNA on early Earth.

  7. Life

    All the World’s a Phage

    There are an amazing number of bacteriophages—viruses that kill bacteria—in the world.

  8. A Matter of Taste: Mutated fruit flies bypass the salt

    By creating mutant fruit flies with an impaired capacity to taste salt, researchers have identified several genes that contribute to this sensory system in insects.

  9. Calling out the cell undertakers

    Dying cells secrete chemicals that attract other cells that specialize in disposing of cellular corpses.

  10. Attack of the cannibalistic bacteria

    When nutrients are low, some members of a bacterial species will cannibalize other members.

  11. Getting an Earful: With gene therapy, ears grow new sensory cells

    Scientists have for the first time coaxed the growth of new sensory cells within the ears of an adult mammal.

  12. Salamander moms use bacteria to save eggs from fungi

    Salamander skin has bacteria that repel egg-destroying mold.