MICROBE BREWS Scientists are looking for a few good yeasts to enhance beer brewing. Each flask (above) contains the same liquid ingredients and a different kind of yeast.
M. Bochman
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Magazine
In the Sept. 16 SN: Flexible brains learn with ease, making fair-minded machines, learning research hits classrooms, reading dodos’ bones, new battle of the sexes, tiny antennas, Southern Ocean upwelling in 3-D, black hole census and more.
Genes & Cells
Topic Image Rail
STRONGER TOGETHER Tumor cells (red) grown with bacteria (green) could stave off a common chemotherapy drug because some bacteria can inactivate the drug.
L. Geller
Many people avoid artificial sweeteners because of a bitter aftertaste. But a combination of two of them, saccharin and cyclamate, blocks the bitter effects.
BigRedCurlyGuy/iStockPhoto
Genes & Cells
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Genetics
ScicuriousTwo artificial sweeteners together take the bitter out of bittersweet
Some artificial sweeteners are well known for their bitter aftertastes. But saccharin and cyclamate are better together, and now scientists know why.News
Muscle pain in people on statins may have a genetic link
Many people stop taking cholesterol drugs because of aches, but it has been unclear if the drugs are at fault. -
Cells
News
Immune cells play surprising role in steady heartbeat
Immune system cells called macrophages help heart cells rhythmically contract, maintaining the beat of mice’s hearts.Science Visualized
Cells’ stunning complexity on display in a new online portal
A new online explorer tool from the Allen Institute for Cell Science shows 3-D models of cell interiors. -
Development
News
Embryos kill off male tissue to become female
Female embryos actively dismantle male reproductive tissue, a textbook-challenging study suggests.News
How bearded dragons switch their sex
RNA editing might affect reptile sex determination at temperature extremes. -
Physiology
Feature
A healthy old age may trump immortality
Despite disagreements about what aging is and isn't, scientists have reached a radical consensus: It can be delayed.ScicuriousWomen in sports are often underrepresented in science
More and more women are taking up recreational and competitive sports. But when it comes to exercise science, the studies don’t reflect that trend. -
Immune Science
News
When a fungus invades the lungs, immune cells can tell it to self-destruct
Immune system resists fungal infection by directing spores to their death.News
When it comes to the flu, the nose has a long memory
Mice noses have specialty immune cells with long memories. -
Microbiology
The Science Life
This biochemist brews a wild beer
Wild beer studies are teaching scientists and brewers about the tropical fruit smell and sour taste of success.Science & the PublicWild yeasts are brewing up batches of trendy beers
Wild beer studies are teaching scientists and brewers about the tropical fruit smell and sour taste of success. -
Epigenetics
News
Proteins that reprogram cells can turn back mice’s aging clock
Proteins that reprogram adult cells to an embryonic-like state can rejuvenate prematurely aging mice.News
Epigenetic marks may help assess toxic exposure risk — someday
Exposure to things in the environment may change chemical tags on DNA and proteins, but it’s still unclear how to use that data to assess health risks. -
Molecular Evolution
Editor's NoteJumping genes are part of all that makes us human
Ask 10 people what makes humans human and you’ll probably get 10 different answers — and then some.News
Ancient enzymes adapted to a cooler Earth to keep life’s chemical reactions going
Ancient enzymes kept their speed at lower temperatures.
