Three neurons show differences in their myelin sheaths (white), in this computer illustration.
Daniel Berger and Giulio Tomassy/Harvard Univ.
Body & Brain
Topic Image Rail
BATTLING BACK Antibiotics such as penicillin attack a bacterium’s cell wall, bursting it (left, shown next to an intact Staphylococcus aureus cell in false color). Some studies suggest that antibiotics also trigger other kinds of damage that could be harnessed in the battle against antibiotic resistance.
CNRI/Science Source
For people with a specific gene variant, eating a lot of processed meat may increase their risk of getting colon cancer.
Michaela den/Wikimedia Commons
-
Clinical Trials
Science TickerHepatitis C treatment appears extremely effective
A mix of four medications has provided the most effective way to date to counter the hepatitis C virus in humans.Note: To comment, Science News subscribing members must now establish a separate login relationship with Disqus. Click the Disqus icon below, enter your e-mail and click “forgot password” to reset your password. You may also log into Disqus using Facebook, Twitter or Google.
XNews
Experimental vaccines protect children from hand, foot and mouth disease
Shots prevented cases resulting from enterovirus 71. -
Biomedicine
Feature
Unsolved drugs
A simmering controversy surrounds what’s still unknown about how antibiotics kill.News
Possible measles drug tests well in animals
Compound that saves ferrets from viral infection might someday lead to measles treatment. -
Neuroscience
-
Nutrition
NewsMeaty diets may raise risk of dying young
Reducing protein consumption can lengthen life and improve health, studies in mice and people suggest.News in Brief
Green tea may sabotage blood pressure medication
Antioxidants in drink may keep intestinal cells from taking up drug. -
Mental Health
NewsVitamin E might limit Alzheimer’s decline
A trial of vitamin E in elderly veterans with Alzheimer’s shows promise for those in the early stages of the disease.Feature
Year in Review: Sleep clears the cluttered brain
Some forms of brain washing are good, like the thorough hosing the brain gets during sleep. -
Cancer
-
Human Development
-
Health
Science TickerGene variant, processed meat linked to boost in cancer risk
In people with a specific variation of a gene on chromosome 10, eating processed meat is associated with an increased risk of developing colon cancer.Note: To comment, Science News subscribing members must now establish a separate login relationship with Disqus. Click the Disqus icon below, enter your e-mail and click “forgot password” to reset your password. You may also log into Disqus using Facebook, Twitter or Google.
XNews in Brief
Triclosan aids nasal invasions by staph
The antimicrobial compound triclosan, commonly found in soaps and toothpaste, may help Staphylococcus aureus stick around.
